I was facilitating a training recently where the very root of the course is relationship. In order to protect ourselves and others, we have to focus on maintaining relationship, regardless of the situation.

As I listened to the discussion around me, I began to think about the hard choices we have to make. There are ups, downs, and choices that make things better and sometimes worse. The challenge then lies in choosing and living with that choice. Maybe you have to choose what to do over the weekend, or which job offer to take. Maybe you are facing a recent loss, have someone in your world who is a negative impact, or a global pandemic has affected your mental and emotional state.

It’s hard to look around and step into a whole different reality, but we have the power to do it. We can take the power to change our story and seek help for our hurt. We can choose to walk away from things or people who are wounding us and we can change our storyline. It’s time to claim the power within us and change the ending of our story.

Just like we choose the relationship and balance as we support people, we can be the author of our fate. We make it into what we want and are the example for others. We have the power of choice.

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Arizona Outpatient Support Services Manager at RI International and the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.