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The Choices
The choices we make each day may seem small, but over time they help determine the direction our lives will take. In this thoughtful poem, William Arthur Ward reminds us that our thoughts, words, actions, goals, and use of time all play a part in shaping the person we become.
We do not always stop to think about how many decisions we make in the course of an ordinary day. Some choices are simple, while others require careful thought. Yet even the smallest decisions can influence our habits, our relationships, and the opportunities that come our way.
The Choices encourages us to take responsibility for the direction of our lives and to use our abilities and time wisely. Ward's message is simple but important: what we choose today can influence what tomorrow becomes. For more timeless poetry with meaningful lessons about life, visit our collection of Famous Poems.
Updated September 22, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
The Choices
Poet: William Arthur Ward
The choices we make each day of the week,
The paths that we take, the goals that we seek,
The kind of persons one day we will be
Is daily determined by you and me.
Each thought that we think, each word that we say
Affect our tomorrows in some strange way.
Each task that we finish, if it's well done,
Prepares us to tackle a bigger one.
For each of us has a talent or two,
A chance to make good on the jobs we do;
A measure of time to squander or use
Is given to us - it's our job to choose.
Reflections From The Choices
William Arthur Ward gives us several thoughts worth considering in this short poem. Each one points back to the same message: the choices we make today help create the life we will experience tomorrow.
"The choices we make each day of the week"
William Arthur Ward
Think about how many choices you make during an ordinary week. Some are so routine that we barely notice them, while others require careful thought. The important thing is to remember that our decisions can affect not only our own lives but also the people around us.
"The paths that we take, the goals that we seek, the kind of persons one day we will be"
William Arthur Ward
The direction we take and the goals we pursue help shape the person we become. It can be helpful to look ahead and ask yourself whether today's choices are leading toward the person you would like to be five years from now.
"Each thought that we think, each word that we say affect our tomorrows in some strange way."
William Arthur Ward
Our thoughts influence our attitudes, and our words influence both ourselves and others. Encouraging thoughts and kind words can move us in a positive direction, while negative thinking can make challenges seem even harder. What we repeatedly think and say can have a lasting influence.
"Each task that we finish, if it's well done, prepares us to tackle a bigger one."
William Arthur Ward
Completing a task does more than give us the satisfaction of finishing something. Along the way, we develop skills, patience, confidence, and experience that can prepare us for greater responsibilities and new opportunities.
"A measure of time to squander or use is given to us - it's our job to choose."
William Arthur Ward
We are each given the same twenty-four hours in a day, but we decide how those hours will be used. Making good use of our time does not mean every minute must be filled with work. It means recognizing what matters, setting priorities, and giving our attention to the things that are important in our lives.
Key Reflections In This Poem
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Small Choices Shape Our Future
Many of life's important changes begin with ordinary daily decisions. The choices we repeatedly make can gradually determine our habits, direction, and future.
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Thoughts And Words Matter
What we think influences how we approach life, while our words can encourage or discourage both ourselves and others. Choosing them carefully can make a meaningful difference.
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Good Work Prepares Us For More
Every task completed well gives us experience that can help with the next challenge. Growth often comes from doing today's work faithfully before looking for something bigger.
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Our Talents Need To Be Used
Each person has abilities that can be developed and shared. Recognizing those talents is only the beginning; what matters is choosing to put them to good use.
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Time Is Ours To Use Wisely
We cannot save time for another day, so how we use it matters. Ward reminds us that deciding what deserves our time is one of the important choices we make.
Popular Pages
Continue with these pages that offer encouragement for making thoughtful choices and moving forward with purpose.
Read You Decide, a poem that reminds us that the direction we take often begins with the decisions we make for ourselves.
Consider how we respond to life's different experiences in The Bitter Or The Sweet, a poem about what we choose to take from both difficult and happy moments.
Conclusion
The Choices by William Arthur Ward reminds us that each day gives us another opportunity to choose our thoughts, actions, attitudes, and priorities. These everyday decisions may not always seem important at the time, yet together they help shape who we become and where our lives will lead.
There will be times when the right choice is not the easiest one. Other people may have opinions about what we should do, and sometimes we may make decisions we later regret. But yesterday's mistakes do not prevent us from making better choices today. We can learn from what happened and move forward with greater wisdom.
As my mother used to say, "Make good choices today, you'll be glad you did, I say!" Her simple words carry much the same message as Ward's poem. Choose kindness, honesty, growth, and a wise use of your time. The little decisions you make today can help build the tomorrow you hope to see.
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