by M. Joseph Boehler

Cultivating agency as a skill means regularly pausing to ask why we want something and whose influence shapes that desire. This practice develops the capacity to think independently and pursue truth with dignity. Trusted mentors, reliable sources, and thoughtfully designed tools can streamline routines, filter out noise, and create space for a deeper understanding—provided they are transparent and service to amplify rather than replace our own judgement.

When influences are opaque or unchecked, decisions become reflexive habits, eroding self-knowledge and moral responsibility. By treating agency as a practiced habit—mindfully evaluating and calibrating the inputs that guide us—we preserve the autonomy essential for authentic, truth-guided choices.