You did not choose your:
1. birthplace
2. skin color
3. birth parents, family
4. birth gender
5. birth language
6. birth name
7. ethnicity
8. born abilities

You can choose to be:
1. kind
2. generous
3. honest
4. grateful
5. respectful
6. optimistic
7. humble
8. teachable
9. faithful
10. happy

– Vala Afshar‏

Life’s Greatest Freedom: The Power of Choice

When you think about it, we arrive in this world with many things already decided for us. You didn’t get to pick your birthplace. Maybe you were born in a bustling city or a quiet village. Your skin color? That was determined long before you took your first breath. The family that welcomed you, the gender you were assigned, even your name and mother tongue—all these were chosen for you.

Your ethnicity connects you to a specific cultural background with its own unique traditions and history. And those natural talents you were born with? Some people have a knack for numbers while others can draw beautifully without even trying. These things are like cards dealt to you at the start of life’s game.

But here’s where things get interesting—and where your true power lies. While you didn’t choose your starting point, you absolutely get to choose your direction. Think of it like this: life handed you certain materials to build with, but the blueprint of who you become? That’s entirely up to you.

Kindness doesn’t cost a thing, yet it’s priceless. When you choose to be kind, you’re like a pebble creating ripples in a pond. That small act—holding the door for someone, sending an encouraging text, or just offering a genuine smile—can change someone’s entire day. And the beautiful thing? Kindness comes back to you in ways you might never expect.

Generosity works the same way. It’s not about how much money you have but about your willingness to share whatever you do have—whether that’s your time, your knowledge, or simply your attention. When you live with open hands instead of clenched fists, you’ll be amazed at how much more fulfilled you feel.

Honesty might seem like the harder path sometimes. It’s tempting to take shortcuts or tell little white lies. But when you choose to be truthful—even when it’s difficult—you build a foundation of trust that nothing can shake. People know they can count on your word, and that’s a rare and valuable thing in today’s world.

Gratitude is like putting on special glasses that help you see all the good things you might otherwise miss. When you choose to be grateful, even for small things, your whole perspective shifts. That cup of coffee, the sunshine, a friend’s laugh—these everyday moments become treasures when viewed through grateful eyes. And science backs this up: grateful people are happier people.

Respect is about recognizing the worth in others and in yourself. You can choose to treat everyone with dignity, regardless of differences. This doesn’t mean you always agree with everyone, but it does mean you acknowledge that each person’s journey and perspective has value. When you show respect, you create spaces where real conversation and growth can happen.

Optimism isn’t about ignoring problems or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about believing that good things are possible and that challenges can be overcome. When you choose to be optimistic, you give yourself permission to try again after failure and to look for solutions instead of dwelling on obstacles. This mindset literally changes what you’re capable of achieving.

Humility is often misunderstood. It’s not about thinking less of yourself—it’s about thinking of yourself less. When you choose humility, you free yourself from the exhausting job of trying to appear perfect. You can admit mistakes, learn from others, and grow in ways that arrogance would never allow. There’s incredible strength in being humble enough to say, “I don’t know, but I’d like to learn.”

Being teachable goes hand-in-hand with humility. When you stay curious and open to new ideas, life becomes an endless adventure. Every person you meet knows something you don’t. Every challenge contains a lesson. Those who choose to remain teachable continue to grow and evolve throughout their entire lives, while the closed-minded eventually stagnate.

Faith—whether in a higher power, in humanity, or in yourself—gives you something to hold onto when times get tough. Choosing to believe that there’s meaning beyond what we can immediately see provides comfort and direction. Faith is like an anchor that keeps you steady when life’s storms hit, and it’s something you can nurture and develop over time.

Finally, happiness itself is a choice you make moment by moment. It’s not something that happens to you when everything’s perfect (because let’s be honest, when is everything ever perfect?). It’s a way of engaging with life exactly as it is. When you choose happiness, you’re not denying life’s difficulties—you’re simply refusing to let them define your entire experience. And that might be the most powerful choice of all.