The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

Your life is said to be the sum total of the choices that you make. Then there are those that say that life in general is like a box of chocolates, you never know which one you are going to get.

Both of these positions may hold some valuable truth. In the latter case, whichever chocolate you get, you can choose to live empowered or disempowered. However, in the former case, where the choices you make tend to sum up your life, let’s add some context.

Your life is not so much the sum total of the choices you make, but more so the sum total of your capacity to know when to hold or fold the choices you have made.

This means taking time to re-evaluate the degree to which your choices are still positively impacting your life. If they are positively impacting your life, then you hold them; if they are not...well, you consider what you need to do.

There is incredible power in making a choice. This power is not always acknowledged, leading many to choose randomly. What I know for sure is that you cannot choose randomly and expect to live an intentional empowered life. Random choices results in random living.

Ultimately, you get to choose what you want your life to be about. It doesn’t matter which kind of cards or hand you are dealt. What matters is your willingness to play your hand with courage. Stay focused on your desired outcome so that you know when to ‘hold them and when to fold them’.

Personally, I like the power of making choices. It is one of those gifts of freedom that we cannot afford to take for granted. Not making choices intentionally often leaves you open to the inherent consequences. Every choice carries a consequence. This is why you must know not only what you are choosing, but why you are choosing that choice.

The power of choices is about being intentional. The choices that you make are like the many cards in the deck of life. You have the responsibility of knowing when it’s time to hold them or fold them. If the choice you make is no longer serving your desired outcome, then it may be a good idea to fold it.

Choosing to stay in hell is still a choice that you make.

In her hit song ‘Sending a Message to Myself’, artist Melissa Etheridge sings: “Every day I spent in hell, I chose to stay.”

There is no point in complaining about a hell of a choice if you are choosing to stay.

Leader to leader, understand that self-empowering choices are always at your disposal. You need only make up your mind up to hold and fold accordingly.

New possibilities are only possible when make the choice to let go of the old. Knowing when to hold or fold your choices is the path to living an empowered life. Yes, you definitely an do it! What do you think?

Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www.talktomichellemiller.com or call 1-888-620-7894; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060