As humans we have the unique ability to shape our lives through the conscious choices we make.

Many of us ignore this power and instead run on autopilot or feel like victims of our own lifestyles.

Existentialism and logotherapy emphasize our ability to choose, create meaning, and to take responsibility.

I recently heard a Buddhist monk say that it’s important to realize that you, as a human, have choices. In the Buddhist tradition, which believes in reincarnation, being human puts you in a unique position: Compared to other forms of life, we alone have the freedom to choose, whereas animals—because of limited intelligence or limited control over their everyday lives—do not. But while the ability to choose may be a gift, it also comes with responsibility and meaning—you are the creator of your choices, and you alone decide their rationale or purpose.

But this triad of choice, responsibility, and meaning is emphasized not only in the Buddhist tradition but also in Western thought, especially in the schools of existentialism and logotherapy, both of which define a path to a good life. Here are some ways to integrate these ideas into your life.

Existentialism: Choice and Responsibility

Jean-Paul Sartre, perhaps the most famous figure of existentialism, was also famous for declining........

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