The power of choice…the most incredible tool we have in our possession at ALL times. The reality check comes in how often we choose NOT to use the power of choice. It is also of importance to clarify that choosing happiness doesn’t mean sugarcoating the fullness of emotions that we experience. It is about choosing to move through and release the pain rather than staying in the pain to endure suffering.

 

The power of choice is also tremendously empowering.

 

The healing of my physical body has been brought to greater clarity. Through my work with an incredible chiropractor, I have gained understanding in regards to the fullness of the pain connected to my spine. My body is now receiving the healing care she needs to come back into alignment and flow with greater ease. The flip side of that is the amount of discomfort that I continue to feel as my body releases and realigns. As my chiropractor said, it’s like cleaning your house, including the closets; everything gets really messy before it is back in order. That’s a perfect analogy for what I am experiencing.

 

Here’s where the power of choice has already proven to be critical: I am choosing to be an active participant in my healing. My chiropractor and I are a team. I am responsible for my healing even more so than he is. I am choosing to be aware of all of the choices I am making in regards to my daily existence: keeping my feet flat instead of crossing my legs, keeping my knees over my ankles instead of flopping out to the sides, standing as balanced as I can ALL of the time (cooking, brushing my teeth, in the shower…), sitting balanced on my sitz bones free of a pelvic tilt, checking in regularly with my body to be sure she is free of tension, and the list goes on. My CHOICE to be this aware empowers me and my role in my healing. I am holding myself accountable for the choices I make.

 

I continue to feel a range of emotions in the healing process and allow them to exist, honoring them as fully as I can. The choice I have in these moments is whether or not I allow the emotion to define me (I am sad.) and take over my ability to be present OR if I can name the emotion (I feel sad.) and use that to inform the choices I make, like being gentle with myself. I am aware that the emotions will continue to arise in this healing process because the body holds the emotions that are repressed. Again, I have a powerful choice: allow myself to feel the emotions, more fully release them and bring healing OR be overwhelmed by them, tuck them away again and be back in a similar situation.

 

I tend to associate the word “happy” with joy, which, to me, means connection to Self…my Self. It’s not about elation and effervescent giddiness. Joy is about being at peace with who I am and what I am experiencing in any given moment. Sure, sometimes it is filled with elation and giddiness, but it is always about connection.

 

I choose to feel joy now.

 

What is your choice?