--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is always at stake in any decision…" description: "\"What is always at stake in any decision we make is what that choice turns us into.\" — Terryl L. Givens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/terryl-l-givens-20241_choice_what-is-always-at-stake-in-any-decision_788520.jpg" --- # What is always at stake in any decision we make is what… ![“What is always at stake in any decision we make is what that choice turns us into.” quote by Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/terryl-l-givens-20241_choice_what-is-always-at-stake-in-any-decision_788520.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/terryl-l-givens-20241_choice_what-is-always-at-stake-in-any-decision_788520.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/terryl-l-givens-20241_choice_what-is-always-at-stake-in-any-decision_788520.jpg) > “What is always at stake in any decision we make is what that choice turns us into.” [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Every decision shapes our identity; the choices we make define who we become. **In simple terms:** Decisions create who we are. Key Takeaway Choose with awareness. Themes identity choice responsibility Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career moves - relationships - ethical dilemmas - personal growth Key Concepts philosophy psychology self‑development Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your decisions? - How do you handle unintended consequences? A Different Perspective Identity is also influenced by circumstances beyond our control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) ## Related quotes > [In Rio de Janeiro, every cop has to make a choice. He either turns dirty, keeps his mouth shut, or goes to war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-padilha/in-rio-de-janeiro-every-cop-has-to-make-a-choice-he-either-turns/) [Jose Padilha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-padilha/) > [“The hardest decision of the day is always the first decision you must make. It's the choice you make to TRY.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/the-hardest-decision-of-the-day-is-always-the-first-decision-you-must/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [“People who have no emotional stake in a decision can see what needs to be done sooner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-grove/people-who-have-no-emotional-stake-in-a-decision-can-see-what-needs/) Andrew Grove > [At last, she makes her choice. She turns around, drops her head, and walks toward a horizon she cannot see. After that, she does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/at-last-she-makes-her-choice-she-turns-around-drops-her-head-and-2/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [“You have it within your power to simplify your situation. Just be sure that every decision you make, every choice you make, is motivated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-march/you-have-it-within-your-power-to-simplify-your-situation-just-be-sure/) [Emily March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-march/) > [If you make the wrong decision, you make the wrong decision. That's all there is to it. There are few guarantees in life. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-lore/if-you-make-the-wrong-decision-you-make-the-wrong-decision-that-s-all/) [Nicholas Lore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-lore/) > [In real life, the most important decision you ever make is, where does reality leave off and make-believe begin? If you make a mistake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teller/in-real-life-the-most-important-decision-you-ever-make-is-where-does/) [Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teller/) > [How will you know if its the right decision if you never make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-will-you-know-if-its-the-right-decision-if-you-never-make-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you simply cannot make the right decision, make a decision and then make it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-dale-adams/if-you-simply-cannot-make-the-right-decision-make-a-decision-and-then/) [Randall Dale Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-dale-adams/) > [Every decision I make is a choice between a grievance and a miracle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/every-decision-i-make-is-a-choice-between-a-grievance-and-a-miracle/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“Anyone lucky enough to have options should keep them open. Don't enter the workforce already looking for the exit. Don't put on the breaks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/anyone-lucky-enough-to-have-options-should-keep-them-open-don-t-enter/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [Every single decision I make about what material I do, what I'm putting out in the world, is because of my children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-streep/every-single-decision-i-make-about-what-material-i-do-what-i-m/) [Meryl Streep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-streep/) > [There is no decision that we can make that doesn't come with some sort of balance or sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/there-is-no-decision-that-we-can-make-that-doesn-t-come-with-some/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [It's up to Kim Jong Il to make that decision, and we can't make that for him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-reiss/it-s-up-to-kim-jong-il-to-make-that-decision-and-we-can-t-make-that/) [Mitchell Reiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-reiss/) > [Every decision I make is, 'How is this helping me become a billionaire?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/draymond-green/every-decision-i-make-is-how-is-this-helping-me-become-a-billionaire/) [Draymond Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/draymond-green/) ## More by Terryl L. Givens > [Relationships are the core of our existence because they are the core of God's and we are in His image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/relationships-are-the-core-of-our-existence-because-they-are-the-core/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [A supreme deity would no more gift us with intellect and expect us to forsake it in moments of bafflement, than He would fashion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/a-supreme-deity-would-no-more-gift-us-with-intellect-and-expect-us-to/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [The earliest religious texts in the West ascribe to humankind both a prehistory and a destiny among the gods. M. David Litwa presents a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/the-earliest-religious-texts-in-the-west-ascribe-to-humankind-both-a/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“In the Garden story, good and evil are found on the same tree, not in separate orchards. Good and evil give meaning and definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/in-the-garden-story-good-and-evil-are-found-on-the-same-tree-not-in/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“...God is not exempt from emotional pain...One the contrary, God's pain is as infinite as His love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/god-is-not-exempt-from-emotional-pain-one-the-contrary-god-s-pain-is/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“The secret of happiness is this: let your interests be as wide as possible,” he said. He then made his point with the simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/the-secret-of-happiness-is-this-let-your-interests-be-as-wide-as/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“The most terrifying specter that haunts the modern psyche is not death or disease or nuclear annihilation. It is loneliness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/the-most-terrifying-specter-that-haunts-the-modern-psyche-is-not/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“the biblical scholar Richard Elliott Friedman notes that “probably the most remarkable difference of all” in disparate passages “is their different ways of picturing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/the-biblical-scholar-richard-elliott-friedman-notes-that-probably-the/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“If Joseph initially thought only Mormons had access to truth or goodness, he was abruptly corrected of his misperception a year into the Church's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/if-joseph-initially-thought-only-mormons-had-access-to-truth-or/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“His desires are set upon the whole human family, not upon a select few. He is not predisposed to just the fast learners, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/his-desires-are-set-upon-the-whole-human-family-not-upon-a-select-few/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“In the vision of Enoch, we find ourselves drawn to a God who prevents all the pain He can, assumes all the suffering He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/in-the-vision-of-enoch-we-find-ourselves-drawn-to-a-god-who-prevents/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“As an inmate of a concentration camp, Corrie Ten Boom heard a commotion, and saw a short distance away a prison guard mercilessly beating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/as-an-inmate-of-a-concentration-camp-corrie-ten-boom-heard-a/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“If we are co-eternal with God, then it is not God's creation of the human out of nothing that defines our essential relationship to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/if-we-are-co-eternal-with-god-then-it-is-not-god-s-creation-of-the/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“The scriptures, said Paul to Timothy, are given for “correction” and “instruction in righteousness.”3 They are likened by the Psalmist to a lamp that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/the-scriptures-said-paul-to-timothy-are-given-for-correction-and/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) > [“The call to faith, in this light, is not some test of a coy god, waiting to see if we "get it right." It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terryl-l-givens/the-call-to-faith-in-this-light-is-not-some-test-of-a-coy-god-waiting/) [Terryl L. Givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) [Explore all 31 Terryl L. Givens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terryl-l-givens/) ## More Choice quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) Randy C. Dockens > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What is always at stake in any decision we make is what that choice turns us into.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Terryl L. 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