Thought for the Week: Freedom to choose

After having celebrated our nation’s Independence, the theme of Freedom is woven throughout the topics this month. This week’s message highlights our freedom to choose. Just think about that – we are free at any given moment to choose our thoughts, words and actions.

Now, sometimes it feels as though we have no choice, espe­cially as respects let’s say wear­ing a mask now days! Let’s face it, most law-abiding citizens would rather not wear a mask, but we recognize the value in do­ing so and thus comply. I heard a person say, “I’d like to walk into a public place and light up a cigarette, but recognize that wouldn’t be the prudent thing to do.” Our culture has changed the view of smoking in enclosed places and hopefully for the next few months or so, recog­nizes the value of wearing face masks as well. I stated back in March when this pandemic was first upon us, that “this too shall pass” and I know it will. Howev­er, in the meantime we are hav­ing “wake-up calls” in a number of arenas.

Whether or not we are in­structed to wear a mask isn’t the root of my message today, it’s the manner in which we respond to anything in life is where our true choice lies. Our freedom comes in our choice of attitude initially. I don’t know who said it, but I know there’s an old saying: “It’s not what hap­pens to you in life that matters, but your reaction or response to it.” Think about that for a mo­ment. There’ a subtle but vast difference between reacting and responding in my book. Many times, we have “knee-jerk” reac­tions to events in our life that are not supportive. Where if we stop and take a breath before re­acting, we can be more available to responding with wisdom and grace.

This week realize that no matter what situation life pres­ents to you, you are at choice in innumerable ways to respond to it. The more you can respond from the Love that is breathing your breath and beating your heart, the happier you’ll be.

Say with me: “I am aware that at any moment I am free to choose my thinking and sub­sequent actions. I stop and ask, “What would Love do here?” and then proceed under divine guid­ance and my life is blessed in im­measurable ways. And it is so.”

— Rev. Gay Beauregard, Alpine Church of Spiritual Living

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here