One Piece of Advice

I recently saw a question posted asking what one piece of advice you would want to give to your child for them to carry with them every day. It made me think about my own kids and the advice I hope they carry with them.

“In the end, everything is simply a choice.”

When my kids were little, I challenged them to choose to start their day with a smile. When they were stressed, I challenged them to choose a new perspective. When they were facing a challenge, I encouraged them to lay out their options and then make a choice.

Far too many people in this life don't want to accept their decisions. It is easier to look for something outside of ourselves to blame. It is easier to look for a scapegoat for the choices that are rightfully ours. But that isn’t what leads to an incredible life. The life we were meant to live is built on fully owning responsibility for our choices.

This is the lesson that has guided me in my life. I am responsible for myself. I am responsible for making my choices. Even this is simply a choice, though. I am curious about what lesson you would share with your kid, or kids. What is the one thing you would want to pass along to the next generation?