Yes, certainly there are powerful influences on your life that are outside your control. And yet, the choice of how to respond to those influences is yours.

There are plenty of perfectly understandable reasons, rationalizations and excuses for the things you do. And yet, the actions you end up taking are the direct result of the choices you make, whether there are good reasons behind them or not.

It is indeed a demanding job to be responsible for your own behavior. It is also a magnificent opportunity.

By exercising thoughtful, purposeful control over the actions you take, you can achieve whatever you decide to achieve. By always remembering that your behavior is your choice, you can use that behavior to extremely valuable benefit, for yourself and for your world.

Before you act, remind yourself that you are in control of your actions. Then choose to take those actions that will lift you ever higher.