René Descartes founded 'Western Philosophy' with profound thoughts, the most famous one being - "I think therefore I am." 

If I think then I must exist [as a conscious being], and vice-versa.

When I think, the result is 'influence': influence on myself and influence on others. Each and every one of my thoughts influences my [following] thoughts and actions. With ongoing improvements in neuroscience [in the area of neuroplasticity], I now know my thoughts alter my neurons and neuronal paths - impacting on my future thoughts. And, I know my thoughts lead to my conscious actions including the actions I plan in an effort to get to desired outcomes and achieve my goals.

Also, I know I influence others in two ways:

• my unconscious behaviour - my body language and my 'automatic behaviour' and
• my conscious thoughts and the actions tied to those thoughts.

Considering all this...

I have choices: I can choose to work at improving my thinking so I improve the way I influence others and bring about changes for the better or I can leave my thinking processes as is and live with the outcomes that follow.

That's the choice I face every day.

That's the choice you face every day.