My favorite daily calendar of proverbs had a standout last week: “A person is not rewarded for having a brain but for using it.” At first I chuckled, but then the quote reminded me of too many people I know who blindly follow someone or something without thinking — and that isn’t funny at all.

Most of us are familiar with the phrase “the blind leading the blind,” and, of course, both can wind up in a ditch or worse. I recently heard such a story where the phrase was taken literally.

During a furious whiteout snowstorm, two men who could not see anything, including the road, followed taillights ahead of them, only to come to an abrupt stop in a farmer’s field, where the vehicles became deeply stuck in mud. Amusing as it may sound, the men in the second car had only themselves to blame for the disaster. If they couldn’t see, why would they assume the driver ahead of them could see any better? Nobody forced them to follow that car.

We alone are responsible for the choices we make. Many people, however, seem to thrive on blaming others for their poor decisions. These folks refuse to accept responsibility for their behavior. Everything that happens to them is the fault of others.

Every choice we make has consequences. They may be good or bad. It is entirely up to us.

More people need to use the power that dwells within them. The most power any of us will ever have in life is the ability to think for ourselves. Apparently, some individuals are afraid to do that.

Sadly, they find it easier to relegate this enormous power to others: spouses, friends, religions, political parties, workplaces.

Some folks I know, for example, blindly do whatever their physicians tell them, without questioning, researching or getting second opinions.

An elderly neighbor once showed me a vile-looking bottle of liquid and said her doctor told her to take it. I asked what it was. She didn’t know. For what ailment was she supposed to take this? Again, she did not know.

I have heard patients complain about bad outcomes from unnecessary surgeries their doctors “made” them get. I’ve talked to people in jail who said their friends “made” them commit the crime. Some people deeply mired in debt whine that their spouses “insisted” on the credit cards or loans or second mortgages, so these poor victims helplessly caved in and signed the papers against their will.

Why? If our brain tells us something is not affordable or is not right, we should heed our mind and refuse. No one can “make” us do anything. Using our brains involves critical thinking, a lot of questioning and self-examination. Yes, it is hard work, but I cannot imagine living any other way.

Life is filled with many temptations and persuasive individuals ready to lead us astray. It is ludicrous to expect all temptations and such people be removed from our paths. Whatever happened to self-discipline and freewill?

The person who truly wants to do something (or not do something) will find a way. The one who doesn’t will find an excuse and often will blame others.

To have a satisfying life and a healthy body, we always need to start with a good head.

All of us were born with a brain — let’s use it.