The freedom of choice
The other day I was hugging the beautiful love of my life and while I was hugging her I thought to myself “wouldn’t it be great if we were at the beach”. I answered myself in the affirmative and continued on with my day.
It wasn’t until later when I was remembering that hug we shared that I started thinking why did I want to be at the beach in that moment? Yes, I love the beach but my chances of being at the beach anytime soon were nil.
It was then that I realized that in truth I wanted to be at the beach because I wanted to feel carefree and happier and at that moment I felt both were not within reach.
Personal and family health issues had been overwhelming for awhile and what I wanted was escape. I wanted to go someplace devoid of problems.
The fact was I could not go to the beach. I could not be devoid of problems and guess what happened next? I took one more step and fell into a black hole. “If I had more money I could go to the beach now. If I didn’t have all these responsibilities I could just jump in the car right now. If I had…blah, blah, blah!”
Now let’s rewind for a moment. In that hug if I had let the thought of escaping alert me to the fact that I was not in a state of gratitude for what was going right (there was plenty!). I would have realized that I needed to adjust my thinking, my outlook and my mood. Had I done that, my life would have been less dark and definitely more beach-like right where I was.
By the practice of meditation, you will find that you are carrying within your heart a portable paradise.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is up to you and I to confront our shadow, our darkness and to boldly draw upon the light within us. We can respond in an infinite number of ways to every event in our life. Make sure your response echoes the light within and not the circumstances outside. That is our true freedom. That is our indomitable strength. That is our beautiful birthright.
Sundrops On Life -Better Thoughts. Better Days.
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www.PatrickInspires.com
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