“When we have control and can actively choose, we turn on our prefrontal cortex, giving us the ability to regulate our emotional response to stress or adversity. When we lack the ability to choose, our prefrontal cortex learns to shut off, to let the stress response run wild. It’s no wonder that we transform into passive responders to whatever challenge we face. We give up. When we take choice away, our brain learns to be helpless instead of hopeful.”