Actually, everyone is constantly making choices about how to act and behave. The people who appear to be on "auto-pilot" are the ones who have a real problem. Because they don't realize they are making choices to behave a certain way. We are all responsible for our actions and bahaviors and it's actually wrong to run on auto-pilot and act like you have no control of who you are or how you act.

People who say, "This is just who I am, I have no choice to be this way," are actually making a choice. They are choosing to not bend or change, even if they are hurting others in their behaviors.

So it's actually good to be aware of this, Dan, because you know that it's your choice to be the best person you can. That doesn't make it an act. I think that's part of the whole mindfulness thing. To be aware of your actions and choices every day. It gives you a head start over so many other people who just roll along not paying attention to the consequences of their choices.