The quote emphasizes the importance of our choices in shaping our lives and identities. It suggests that while we cannot control the passage of time, we do have agency in deciding our present circumstances and experiences. This power to choose our path allows us to define who we are and where we want to be in life.

In her book "Ahab's Wife, or The Star-Gazer," Sena Jeter Naslund explores themes of autonomy and self-determination. The message encourages readers to recognize their influence over their lives, highlighting that self-definition comes from conscious choices about where we want to be and how we perceive ourselves, rather than the inevitabilities of time.