Suddenly it happens. I’m not sure when or how, but you find yourself in an assigned role, doing tasks that aren’t necessarily meaningful to you. You realize you’re living a life that feels predefined. The things you do and the the people you meet “just happen.” You’re caught in a cycle of routine and predictability, and you can’t quite put your finger on what’s missing.

Somewhere along the way, we forget we have the great power to make daily decisions. Decisions that matter to us, that reflect a more authentic image of ourselves and are independent of our environment and the people around us. Decisions that create.

Our days become filled with brightness and meaning when we make choices to step towards what makes our heart sing. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion, a dinner or a curated experience. You don’t need an assignment to make it happen. You don’t need someone else’s permission.

Find one decision you can make to get you closer to where you want your life to be. Commit to follow the direction of your passions, to present a more authentic you, to run your life — if only for today.

Permit yourself.