Wake Up and Take Your Life Off Autopilot!

This post was inspired by Dennis Merritt Jones

Every day, each of us makes a multitude of choices that will impact our lives…the quality of our choices will dictate whether we will struggle in frustration or live an extraordinary life—the life of our dreams. ~ Debbie Ford

In her great book “The Right Questions”, author Debbie Ford titles the second chapter, “Waking Up from Autopilot.” This is precisely the task we encounter if we desire to live an exceptional life founded in healthy, life-affirming choices. As we consider the world these days, it might appear that nearly all mankind exists at the level frozen on autopilot, essentially unaware that the decisions we make each and every moment of every day, individually as well as jointly, establish our experiences in this world.

This really is self-evident with the zombie-like harm being done to our environment as well as ecosystem, and maybe much more so through turmoil among people around the world.

Whenever we don’t use our mental strength and function on autopilot, the inclination is to live unconsciously, self-servingly, and reactively instead of proactively. As a species, one could state we’ve created more than several brainless choices. I find this intriguing given the fact that the opportunity to make conscious choices is among the primary things that separate us from every other Inhabitant on the planet. The good news is it’s not too late to learn that we can choose again.

The point is that mindful choices start with becoming conscious. We know the phrase “Think globally, act locally.” What this implies to me is that to be able to influence positive change in the world, we must first start with ourselves. To individualize this idea, I’d like to ask you these questions:

• Can you remember everything that you put into your body yesterday?
• Alternatively, do you remember precisely what came out of your mouth?
• Can you recollect the particular way in which you chose to communicate with and treat everyone you had contact with yesterday?  
• Do you remember the instant you considered (or avoided thinking about) doing your workout program and the action you took (or didn’t take) to follow through?
• Can you remember the day you made the decision to attend college or not to?
• To purchase or sell your house or not to?
• To have children or not to, to take or leave a job or not to?
• To enter or exit a relationship or not to?

From the seemingly commonplace choices we make daily to the colossal, once-in-a-lifetime choices we make, they all have one thing in common: they define who we believe ourselves to be.

A different way to evaluate it could possibly be to say that regardless of the levels, each and every choice we make leads us closer to or further away from being the person we wish to be and our personal success (however we each define it). The more conscious we are in the choices we make, the clearer we are on whom we are. Our flexibility to decide is that powerful!

Think about the concept that whenever we come to an intersection while driving our car, the decision regarding which way we turn can literally determine exactly what happens next in our life. The metaphor is that our lives are always at an intersection. You are at an intersection right now…which way is your life inclined to go?

My question for you today is profoundly simple, but also intensely meaningful: How conscious will you be of the choices you make today? Will you turn right or left…or continue on the same road you have been traveling? This mental strength questions are imperative to ponder for your own sake, personal empowerment and personal success, as well as for your family, your friends and your community.

It’s time to wake up and take our lives off autopilot!

Where can you begin? Commit to using your mental strength and make conscious choices for the next twenty-four hours. Begin with the next thought you have that necessitates a choice of any kind. It doesn’t matter what it is, use your mental strength and challenge it.

In your mind, fast forward and review the consequences of that choice. Will you be truly at peace with the consequences, or resent yourself later for the choice you made? Regardless of the scope or scale of the choices you make today, ask yourself if the consequences of the choices are ones that serve you, as well as others, in an affirmative manner. In other words, does this choice affirm a whole and fulfilling life for you and harm no one in any way, shape, or form? Most importantly, work diligently at creating space for the loving presence of your Higher Self to be revealed and then listen because that voice is always available. You will know what choice to make.

Let me know what choices you’re going to make in the comments below.