Choices
by Marie T. Russell
 Every
day we make choices. Some seem simple, some seem complex. Yet we constantly make
choices. What will I eat for breakfast? What will I wear today? What will I say
to this person? How will I react to this situation?
Some choices we make without even thinking about it, and sometimes we are simply
remaking a choice we made a long time ago. Perhaps we have chosen a certain
diet, a religion, a political party, a job, city to live... Some of these choices
we are happy with, and others we continue simply because we do not take the time
to reevaluate our beliefs and needs. We may simply on automatic pilot, letting
things go along as they may.
When we are striving to live an empowered life, our every choice is important.
Even the color of the clothes we wear for the day can affect us and the people
around us. Certainly the attitude we choose to face the day and the people
around us has an effect. Every choice we make makes a difference -- sometimes a
good one, and sometimes one that leaves a lot to be desired.
Life itself is a choice. In 2000, there were over 29,000 suicides in the USA.
Every single day in the USA, 80 people committed suicide. Every day! Eleven of
those people who commit suicide are between 15 and 14 years of age. Every year
there are over 734,000 attempts at suicide! Life is a choice.
The choice of life is one we make every day whether we realize it or not. But
that choice is not always so dramatic as whether or not to hold a gun to one's
head, or end it all "right here and now". The choice of life also applies to the
things we ingest (whether food, tobacco, drugs, polluted air, toxins, etc.). The
choice of life also includes how we treat the planet we live on.
Every action we take either supports life, or not. When we choose to stay in a
job that depresses us and not do anything about it, we are not choosing life.
When we choose to let the people around us hurt the people we love, we are not
choosing life. When we choose to let politicians and their taskmasters make
decisions that go against the greater good, we are not choosing life. When we
see violence all around us, in schools, in neighborhoods, on TV, in video games,
and only shake our heads in despair, we are not choosing life.
We are the only ones who can make a difference -- by each and every choice we
make. Whether that choice involves refusing to buy violent toys for your child,
or going to town meetings to make your choices heard, or going to vote -- all
these are ways we make a difference.
It is easy for us to complain. We do it all the time. But, to live as an
empowered being, we must take action. Complaining and then complaining some more
does not change the world. To change the world we live in (whether your own
house or the planet), we must make choices that support our beliefs and our
vision. If we sit back and only complain at how terrible things have gotten,
then we are responsible for the situation. This is a harsh comment, but a true
one nevertheless.
We need to take a look at all our choices and make sure they support the greater
good -- that they support peace, both internally and externally, both
individually and world-wide.
Most of us have been raised in a very unempowered way. "Shut up and listen."
"Do what you're told." "A child should be seen and not heard." "Toe
the line." "Work hard and you'll get your reward when you retire (or when
you get to heaven)." We've been told to put up and shut up. However, that
attitude only serves those who are seeking to control us and control our world
for their own personal purpose.
It is time for us to wake up to the reality of the world around us. This is the
world we have created either through our actions or our inactions. It is time
for us to stand up and be counted. It is time for us to make a difference. You
can do that by joining (or forming) community and global organizations that are
choosing to make a difference. If you can't give of your time, then give of your
money. If you can't give of your money, then give of your time. Make your
actions count.
For those of us living in the United States, this coming Tuesday is an election
day. Choose to make a difference. Go vote. Oh, I know, we've all been programmed
subliminally to think our vote won't count... but if there are 20,000 of us who
think our vote won't count and we still go out to vote, then that's 20,000 votes
that will make a difference.
Choose the world you want to live in. Choose the people you want around you to
help you create that world. Choose according to you conscience -- according to
your higher self -- according to your highest vision for life on earth. We are
the ones who can make a difference. Do you want to look back in 20 years and
regret what you might have done?
Make your choices now and every single moment of the day. Do not let fear and
despair rule you. Let your vision of hope and of a greater possibility for life
guide you. Let your dreams drive you. Let your vision of a "heaven on earth"
guide you.
If we don't make the choices that are ours to make, others will make those
choices for us. Let's take our power back and create the life we want for
ourselves, for our children, and for our children's children. It's up to you,
it's up to me, it's up to all of us individually and collectively to choose the
path we want to walk on, to lead us where we want to be.
 RECOMMENDED
BOOK: Your Own Worst Enemy: Breaking the Habit of Adult Underachievement
by Kenneth W. Christian.
Whether you're just starting out or have hit a roadblock, this book makes you
ponder your unique answers to essential questions: "What do I really respond to?
What gives me joy and passion?" Recommended book for anyone who has a dream but
whose self-defeating habits have interfered with making it come true.
Info/Order
this book.
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