"You alone are the author of your future- experience teaches you that. Your behavior is not an unchangeable law of nature. At every moment, you have the opportunity to change- to alter your thoughts, your speech, your actions. If you train yourself to be mindful of what you do, and ask yourself whether it is likely to lead to positive results or negative, you'll be guiding yourself in the right direction. Repeated good intentions can generate a powerful inner voice that will keep you on track. It will remind you- whenever you trap yourself in a cycle of unhappiness- that you can get out of that trap. Periodically you will have glimpses of what it is to like to be free. You make this vision a reality by acting in positive ways and letting go of misery."

 in Eight mindful steps to happiness: walking the buddha's path
by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana