# The Quiet Power of Overrides

## Life's Default Settings

We all run on defaults. From childhood, we're wired with patterns: snapping in frustration, scrolling endlessly, or holding onto old grudges. These are like the unspoken code shaping our days—reliable, but not always kind. On a quiet evening like this one, with snow falling outside on Christmas Eve 2025, I pause to notice mine. They keep life predictable, yet they can dim our warmth.

## Choosing to Override

An override isn't rebellion; it's a gentle rewrite. It's pausing before that sharp reply, picking up the phone instead of letting silence grow, or stepping outside for a walk when the couch calls. No grand gestures needed—just a breath, a decision. In moments like these, we reclaim the controls. I've done it myself: overriding the urge to skip a friend's call, leading to laughter that lingers.

Simple overrides build quietly:
- Forgiving a small slight before bed.
- Saying yes to a shared meal.
- Letting go of "I can't" for "I'll try."

## Rewriting for Tomorrow

Over time, these choices rewire us. What starts as effort becomes habit, turning autopilot into intention. Life feels lighter, connections deeper. Not perfect, but ours. As the year ends, overrides remind us: we hold the keyboard.

*In the end, the best overrides are the ones that let more light in.*