Choices

This past Sunday Rev. Brian spoke about our creative nature. And even though I wasn't there to hear it I know it was a passionate and energetic message! I had the pleasure of spending my Sunday morning in the Children's Church talking about choices.

Mary started the morning with a wonderful and colorful meditation designed to help focus the children and prepare them for their morning message. Mary spoke of us all being born with "free will" and how we all had choices. Interestingly (but not surprising) the children initially felt that they did not have many choices. Then Mary helped them realize the choices they make every day...little things like what (or if) they eat for breakfast, what they wear, etc. Then she began to show them how they have a choice about how they feel. They can decide if they are going to be angry or happy. And it struck me that, even at that young age, children really can create their reality!

After church I began to think about the kinds of choices we adults make on a daily basis. Some choices are little...what's for dinner, what am I going to wear today, am I going to exercise today, etc. Some are larger choices like am I going to marry this person, am I going to have children, etc. But what about those times when we feel like we don't have a choice? Do you experience situations (I can think of one right now!) where all the choices are up to other people, or no one at all. Do you ever feel out of control? Then it hit me, that's when we can choose our reaction to the situation.

Why is being out of control of a situation considered to be so bad? I think perhaps it is the way we deal with being out of control that does not serve us well. I don't know about you, but when I don't have control of situations I sometimes feel anxious, angry and even depressed. I think to myself that there is no hope for a good outcome, I beging to expect the worst. And aren't those the emotions that create barriers in our lives? So what do we do differently, what can we do to feel we have more choice in a seemingly out of control situation?

In his book Man's SearchFor Meaning Viktor Frankl discusses his years spent in several concentrations camps during the war. Talk about a situation where you have no control! Though his situation would be considered untenable to most he was able to find a way to cope and ultimately help others. In the book he discusses how we cannot always avoid unpleasant situations but we can choose how to cope with them, find meaning in them and ultimately a renewed purpose in life. His theory is referred to as "logotherapy."

So I wonder, what would it be like if we looked at every bothersome situation as an opportunity? Can you find the silver lining in yours? What if we decided that the highest and best purpose was always being created? Can you trust that there will be a wonderful outcome? I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Hindsight is always 20/20." How many times has an "out of control" situation turned out to be the best thing that's ever happened to you?

I hope you are all enjoying this blog, it's been fun for me to write! Feel free to leave me comments and let me know if there is anything else you would like to read about!

Hugs & Love,
Cindy Huff