An airport pick during my layover at the Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam. The book, The Power of Choice: How to Hack Your Happiness by Kelly Weekers, caught my attention by the fact that it was written by a well-known Dutch author and entrepreneur who also happens to be a psychologist.

In all honesty, this half autobiography, half self-help guide did not make a particular impression on me, given that a lot of the author’s realizations I have already learned from established experts, researchers and authors elsewhere (or learned on my own).

Nevertheless, it got me thinking about my own decisions in life (and maybe that’s the whole point of the book and Weekers' personal story is just an added bonus?).

There is no sophisticated decision making model or secret recipe that the author proposes to the readers. Which I quite like. Her advice is as simple as: "Choose what makes you happy."

Now, this sounds lovely. But as Kate Bowler, the bestselling author of Everything Happens For A Reason And Other Lies I've Loved, said in her beautiful, heart-wreaking interview (a must listen!):

‍“Life is not always a series of choices.” — Kate Bowler

There are times when things happen for no particular reason. There are times when life gets really difficult and tragic and unfair. There are times when certain circumstances or situations make us pretty damn unhappy, and we have no ability to escape nor to change them to be happier.

This reminded me of Viktor Frankl and his work on life’s meaning (which Kelly Weekers also cites). He says that one can find meaning in three ways: through love, through work, and through suffering. It’s our outlook on the situation that counts and gives us the power to choose.

So perhaps, it's not about making a choice to be happy. It’s about choosing how we frame those (shitty) circumstances we have no control over. Accept them. Go above and beyond them.

Then, whenever we do have the ability to choose, aim for that happiness. Make that choice.

Kindly.

Neva