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Life is riddled with choices to make, whether knowingly or unknowingly. From simple decisions like what to eat or what route to take to weightier ones like changing jobs or who to associate with, people take control of life through the power of choice.
Indeed, choices give people the control to steer their lives in the direction they wish to be in. They can make or miss decisions depending on the outcome they want to see. All it takes is the courage to set the intention. Who people are and what they become is a culmination of their choices. People build themselves based on decisions taken or opportunities missed. This is how they take control of life.
How did the power of choice shape the outcome of Tish Barnhardt’s So You Want to Be a First Lady? What can her readers takeaway about such a concept from her tale?
Why Is Control Important in Life?
Before discussing the tale and its significance, let’s examine the psychology behind control, its associations with choice, and its contribution to people’s lives.
Why do people desire to take control of life? In between allowing things to transpire on their own and making things happen, why do people typically choose the latter?
To desire control is human.
People believe that the more they take control of life, the less likely something bad will happen. They’re reassured that not only will they be given the utmost importance, but their preferences will also be prioritized. There’s logic behind why people desire control, a reasonable motive that pushes them to do so. When people seek control, they hold themselves liable for their choices, ensuring these lead somewhere they can benefit.
Choice is among the consequential concepts author Tish Barnhardt spotlights in her book So You Want to Be a First Lady. It follows the stories of First Ladies as they navigate their new lives and experience the consequences of their decisions. The tale takes its readers through life’s ups and downs. In hopes of encouraging people towards making a lifetime of transformational impact, she shows what could happen if people aren’t careful with their choices. It also reflects on a hopeful resolution that things can still be reversed to better circumstances.
The book chronicles how women take control of life and find triumph in their own choices. Tish’s story is a testament to the power of choices, a reminder of how cautious people must be and how they should stand firm in their decisions.
What Does It Mean to Take Control of Life?
In Tish’s book, control means that the first ladies decide between staying in their current circumstances or fleeing toxic situations. They take control of their lives by choosing what they believe is better for them and acting on it. Tish reminds her readers that life is about choices, and decisions aren’t only made but also acted upon.
Similarly, people can practice this in their lives.
As in the story, individuals take control of life when they take a chance on themselves and decide on things that work in their favor. In doing so, they will witness their lives becoming better as their dreams and visions come true. Taking control of one’s life is more than just a phrase people spread. It’s a choice they have to commit to. When people take control of life, they’re proactively choosing their story. It’s not something they receive but seek and work for.
Aside from stepping into their power, like what happened in Tish Barnhardt’s book, here are other ways choice and control lead to an improved life:
Uncovers True Desires
People can make choices, but these won’t always feel right. When things feel off, this doesn’t mean they’ve failed. Instead, they’ve gained themselves a learning opportunity to reveal more about themselves. This is why making decisions leads to a more controlled life. It acts like a trial-and-error process of gradually identifying how people should and want to live.
Every choice made leads people to understand more of themselves. It pinpoints who they are and what makes them feel that way. The more people stand on their choices, the more they’ll begin to pursue what’s ultimately for them.
Better Lifestyles and Life
There’s no better way to take control of life than by forging healthier routines and an improved lifestyle. People decide to have these, and acting on these decisions is up to them. Change may feel risky. But with enough courage and the intentional choice to do better, these changes will bring better chances.
People decide what they want to do in life, and acting on these choices is up to them. Similar to what happened in So You Want to Be a First Lady, the women took the courage to step away from the shackles that bound them in their then-circumstances. It was their choice to rebuild their lives and seek freedom from their distress and agony. Life doesn’t randomly change. It doesn’t become better any day. Instead, people must take the steps and choose to improve it.
If you’re interested in reading more of Tish Barnhardt’s perception about choices and their impact on life, grab a copy of So You Want to Be a First Lady! Choose to focus your energy on things that benefit you and matters that enhance your life.