As the crown of creation, we have been blessed with the most sophisticated and unique gift of a human form – and as human beings, we have the power of choice, the ability to decide what we think, feel and do at any given moment. This is a potent tool that enables us to shape our destiny and happiness.

Life can be a stormy affair full of difficulties and challenges. Any change in our comfort zone can precipitate a storm or an unpleasant state of being. Overnight, friends can become enemies. Wealth and security can be lost in the market or dwindle quietly until we finally realize it has all gone. Even positive changes can be taxing, particularly when they involve uncertainty.

When a storm hits, the only thing in our hands is our choice. We can choose to be happy or unhappy; we can choose to be positive or negative; we can choose to be proactive or reactive; we can choose to be victim or victor. We can either wait for the storm to pass before we take any action, or we can go to work regardless. We run the risk of being held captive by waiting and watching – if we let situations dictate our responses. Life rarely affords us the luxury of waiting, for it may take months, even years, before the dark clouds finally lift. To avoid becoming victims, the only real choice – is to act amidst the storm.

Thus, choice is an extremely essential ability that we need to cultivate and practice. It's not something that happens effortlessly or naturally. Each choice has a consequence – short-lived and trivial, or more permanent and significant. Discovering and pursuing what we find meaningful in life is the key to making good choices. When we align our choices with our purpose, we experience a sense of fulfillment, joy and freedom.

The first step towards making good choices is to discover your purpose in life – the meaning and significance of your existence. Look within and ask yourself some fundamental questions: Who am I? What is my true nature? What is the goal of my life? What are my values and principles? What are my responsibilities and duties? We find answers to these questions by studying our ancient scriptures, like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

These answers empower us to make choices based on our true Self, our higher Self. When choices are based on these factors, we create freedom, happiness and peace for ourselves and for others. We then realize that we are one with the Supreme Reality, the source of all existence. We manifest our divine potential, thereby transforming ourselves and the world.

However, be aware of the dangers of making bad choices influenced by the ego, attachments, desires, fears, doubts and ignorance. Choices based on these factors create bondage, suffering and misery for ourselves and others. We lose sight of our blissful identity; forget our divine, infinite, creative, and powerful potential; limit ourselves to the transient, superficial and mundane.

Life is a rich and precious gift. The measure of its greatness lies in what one has done with it. If one has not learned how to manage life and gain bliss, permanent happiness and immortality, then it is a life wasted. The study of Vedanta helps clarify our thoughts and provide us with the proper perspective on the choices required to lead a stress-free, successful, meaningful and fulfilled life.

The power of choice is the power of God. It is the power of creation. It is the power of love. It is the power of freedom. It is the power of joy. It is the power within you.

Swami Swaroopananda is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission. He will hold discourses on Meditation and the Bhagavad Gita from 13 to 18 February at Chinmaya Mission, Lodhi Road.