Feb/Mar 2026 Aspire Magazine FULL Issue | Page 42

brace. Preparing for what might go wrong before anything has actually happened. We overthink. Spiraling into“ what ifs” instead of what’ s true right now.

We replay conversations or worry about what’ s coming next. We try to solve the problem before we’ re calm enough to see clearly. And before long, our inner world feels louder than the situation itself.

But the moment you pause— even briefly— and ask, Who am I choosing to be in this moment? something shifts.

Because this question doesn’ t ask you to solve anything. It brings you back into awareness.

How you choose to be directly influences how you respond. And how you respond shapes what unfolds next.

This question slows the spiral. It helps your nervous system settle. It brings you out of fear and back into the present moment. Most importantly, it helps you step out of old patterns— the ones driven by doubt, conditioning, or the belief that you must have everything figured out right now.

Here’ s a sacred truth:

Your power isn’ t in controlling the situation. Your power is in how you’ re present within it.

This question doesn’ t ask what’ s happening. It asks how you want to see it and move through it. That’ s an important shift. Because instead of reacting on autopilot, you begin responding with intention. And often, that choice shows up in very simple ways.

Sometimes it looks like pausing longer and taking a slower breath. Sometimes it’ s softening your tone instead of reacting with impatience or frustration. Sometimes it’ s choosing not to respond right away.