What Happens When We Choose?

I have come to the conclusion that our experience of life is less to do with what happens to us than with how we CHOOSE to perceive it and what we CHOOSE to do with it. For a long time I was a reactor... I waited till stuff happened and reacted (in fairly predictable ways) accordingly, as though the stuff that happened should have more control over me than I did.  I know that self-control is a very useful virtue, but somehow it didn't seem to apply in those situations, it only seemed relevant to me in terms of what I chose NOT to do.
As I get older however, I realise more and more how active self-control is and how much it has to do with making choices to DO.
I'm choosing to view things differently, less personally and defensively. When stuff happens, I am choosing to look at it as neutral, with the potential to become positive if handled well (recognising that the potential for it all to go pear-shaped is still there too).
Looking back, most of us would say that many of the most awful circumstances have been doorways to fresh opportunities. Remembering that and pressing through the immediate thunder-cloud to look for the silver-lining are high on my list of what to choose.