It’s often said that our choices reveal our character, but it’s also true that our choices shape our character. Thus, the more aware we become of the choices we make every day – about our attitudes, our words, our actions, and our reactions – the more power we have over our destiny.

According to Senator Bob Bennett of Utah, a big supporter of CHARACTER COUNTS!, "Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself."

It’s true. When we accept moral responsibility for our choices, we take charge of our life. Yet sometimes the power to choose is not self-evident, especially to teenagers who are struggling to deal with hormone-intensified impulses accompanying powerful emotions like excitement, desire, frustration, and anger. These emotions can be so strong that they create moods and urges that seem beyond control. As a result, no attempt is made to control them.

At the root of good decision-making is self-control and the knowledge that no matter how difficult or confusing the situation, we always have the power to choose what we think, say, and do – even when we’re under tremendous pressure or don’t like our options.

Like a ship without a captain to steer it, when we hide behind our self-serving illusion of helplessness ("You made me mad," "You left me no choice," "I couldn't help myself"), our lives move in aimless and random directions and sometimes run aground.

But if we take control, we have control.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.