Power to Choose
Photo Credit: Everton Vila
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl
My guiding mantra for 2026 is anything is possible. What actually manifests is connected to the power of choosing how to respond to our life situation at any given time. When our freedom is denied by the actions of others, our growth, happiness, and peace is limited—and sometimes to devastating consequences. Even the belief that anything is possible can be crushed when our freedoms are taken from us. For who can dare to dream when they are shackled by barriers of access resulting from bias, discrimination, corruption and greed by people in power? Today I feel compelled to write about the power of choice and our human capacity to manifest our reality.
I contend that our freedom to dream is the one thing no one can take from us, no matter our circumstance. It is one of the things that unites us all. We can choose to be happy in a prison cell. We can choose to be grumpy in a palace. We have the freedom to choose who we trust and love, what we focus on, where we live (in a free country), when to take action, how we show up, and why. I believe it’s important to meditate on these questions if we want to respond to the people and events around us in ways that align with our dreams. Will you take a moment, dear reader, to consider your responses to the stimuli that define your reality?
Who
I read somewhere that the support of your inner circle of people can make or break the highs and lows of life. Clearly, it’s imperative to actively choose who constitutes that circle of trust. Some people have large circles, others have small. Often they are comprised of your closest family members. But when your family is dysfunctional, dishonest, or abusive, they need to be regulated to outer rings of engagement, while close friends you can count on move into the centre. The people you confide in and share openly with can shift over time. Who, dear reader, belongs in your inner circle, right now?
What
I choose to be joyful, grateful, loving, kind, optimistic, positive, hopeful, creative, forgiving, compassionate, empathetic, passionate, open and honest. I have a growth mindset and work hard to develop my character and integrity. I read and study and engage in debate to learn new ways of being and interacting with others, to understand the people around me better and show up in loving and supportive in ways they appreciate. I make a conscious decision every day to do and be my best. Sure, sometimes I fail. I can be grumpy, lethargic, negative—the opposite of what I want to be. But when you shoot for the stars and fail, you land higher than when you settle for less. What, dear reader, do you choose to do with your precious time, energy, and resources?
Where
I don’t regret the time I spent living abroad. It was a great opportunity to experience different cultures and witness other social systems in action. But I realize more than ever how where I live impacts my ability to respond to life challenges. I love my country and I’m thrilled to be living in Canada again. Winnipeg feels like the perfect place for Mister and I to create the life we want to live now. Our extensive network of family is the biggest draw, but we also value the leadership in the province of Manitoba, the lower cost of living, and having four distinct seasons again. Are you content, dear reader, where you are? Or do you imagine some place new in your future?
When
I’m someone who likes to have plans. They bring me comfort. But I’m learning to embrace the reality that the answer to when is now. When I live in the present moment as much as possible instead of ruminating on the past or dreaming of the future, I am more grounded and resilient. When I focus on the day ahead of me, I achieve more success with every task than when I get overly caught up in planning. Of course considering where you might be in five or ten years is worthwhile to feel confident you’re prepared. After all, anything is possible. Are you, dear reader, living with presence, attuned to what is instead of what was or might be?
How
I’m retired and have more freedom to choose to how I spend my time. I am drawn to creative endeavours like writing, projects like vision boards, and enjoy the daily tasks of cooking, cleaning, and taking of my home. I love yoga and walking, especially outdoors, immersed in forests, near natural water sources, surrounded by big open sky. But it is often cold here in Winnipeg, so I take advantage of my membership at the RehFit centre, which is a truly phenomenal facility. I walk the track, use the functional training zone, and take Zumba. I encourage and facilitate connections and take great joy in my roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. Mister and I enjoy hosting family dinners and travelling to faraway places to nourish and strengthen our important relationships. How do you spend your time, dear reader?
Why
In my opinion, this is the toughest question. It’s the one that changes the most over time. The reasons why change as our life circumstances shift and as we evolve and grow. I suppose as I meditate on why I make the choices I do with the freedoms I have, the reasons are two-fold. I am a big, bold dreamer. It is a natural aspect of my personality and in truth, it’s harder for me to tone it down than play it up. It also has a lot to do with how privileged I am. Mister supports me to live in my authenticity, even when some of my choices don’t make sense to him or have him concerned for my health and well-being. I wonder, dear reader, why you make your choices?
I hope my words take hold in your heart and encourage you to believe in your power to choose. I hope you follow through and exercise your freedom to become the person you dream of being. Next week I’ll be sharing highlights from attending TEDx Winnipeg 2026: Ingenious. It’s sure to be an informative event—fifteen speakers on diverse topics of inquiry—so watch for my blog on May 29 to read about the innovative ideas that inspired me.
COMING UP…
Books & Projects:
· In December 2025 I signed a contract with Austin Macauley Publishers for my manuscript, The Trials of Alex Anderson, a character-driven novel that explores the relationship between mental illness and trauma. I am now on the road to publication, with an expected release date near the end of 2026. In February I worked with designers on the cover and its near completion. Last week I received the proofread manuscript for my review. Things are happening! I’ll be posting more updates here on my blog and on social media, so stay tuned for more exciting new developments.
· The Rogue Scorpion is available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find it at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.
Reviews & Interviews:
· You can read, listen, or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.
Events:
· There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.
YouTube Channel:
Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer