Options
The word ‘option’ has both French and Latin roots. ‘Opt’ is from Latin optare meaning to choose, to select, to wish for or desire. Conventionally, it is the ‘power or the right to choose’.
A plethora of options are available to us across the broad spectrum of every day concerns and long-term planning strategies.
“It is such an uncertain universe out there that you have to create what I call ‘real’ options and develop capabilities that will enable you to deal with an environment that will change anyway.” ~Anand Mahindra
‘Power and right’ to choose can be quite overwhelming when we acknowledge how much choice we have. There is little control over external forces and events, yet the power to choose how we respond to these events shapes our future in positive or negative ways.
Making choices from our internal process is more complex. It is a struggle to grow, to find the authentic self; to balance action and allowing. And, like the effects of external events, the options we choose also shape our future in negative or positive ways.
“Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally. If you want to take responsibility for your life, you must choose one of those three options…. Then accept the consequences.” ~Eckhart Tolle
“It’s not only moving that creates new starting points. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle shift in perspective, an opening of the mind, an intentional pause and reset, or a new route to start to see new options and new possibilities.” ~Kristin Armstrong
Exercising our options is empowering. Learning from the consequences of our choices is wisdom.
“We have to choose every day to be active participants. To wake up in the morning and choose this life and make something of it is an incredible thing. Not many living creatures have that option. We have so many opportunities and options – it’s a huge burden, but it is also the most freeing part of our lives.” ~Brie Larson
Just passed, the Autumnal Equinox is an opportunity to evaluate your power to choose the future you desire.
Blessings!
