The Purposeful Life

We are all given a choice.
We can live our lives
Reacting to circumstances,
Buffeted by the prevailing
Winds of happenstance,
Or we can decide
To take charge and determine
The course of our lives
Independent of whatever else
May be happening.
The moment we make
The qualitative decision
That our life is about something
Other than the struggle to survive,
A whole world of possibility
Opens its doors to us.
The sheer act of accepting
Responsibility for creating
The context of our lives
Empowers us,
Has us recognize the ability
To design a future
For ourselves
And those we care for.
It is our choice to be
Up to something
Worthy of being up to,
But it is that choice
Which gives life
A sense of purpose.