You Get to Choose

I sat at the piano, gently pressing a finger or two onto the keys, trying to process all of the emotions in my heart. My head was spinning with wonder as to what was happening in our world. There was so much hatred, fighting, and resentment. So much division between people. So much anger. I was pretty sure the culprit behind all of this chaos, as with all the tension that seems to rise, was Fear.

But how do you fight that? How do you help others realize that they are living a life of fear, and they are unable to see a loving resolution to the problems in the world, or problems they might have a little more control over; the ones in their own hearts and minds?

I think I know the answer. We love into it. We love into our fear. And we love others where they are at, with compassion and understanding. And we love ourselves where we are at. With more compassion and understanding. We may not understand why we are feeling what we do, but if we begin to see things from a place of love, rather than a place of fear, we will find more peace.

We love more, and the world becomes a better place.

So I sat there at the piano, wondering what I could do to love more, what I could to fear, less. What I could to lift some of the heaviness off my heart.

As I continued asking these questions to myself, a phrase popped into my head. Wise words from the great author and speaker Wayne Dyer. Words that uplifted me when I once felt full of fear. Words that gave me the strength to take a breath and choose to see something different.

"Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world."

Ah, how those words spoke to my heart at that moment. "Same world."

So what was the difference? A choice? One chose to see a loving world. One chose to see a hostile world. Same world.

Is it really as simple as making a choice?

I took a deep breath, and started playing the piano. And a new song was born. It was a gentle reminder that in the moment, the choice is always mine.

This song has become a beautiful and loving reminder for me. Especially on the days when I am focusing on the fear rather than the love. When I am seeing the dark side of the world rather than the light. I have found that on the darkest of days, I can turn it around by choosing to look at the light. I can choose to see the good in everything. And if I can't find it, I can be it. We could all use more goodness, kindness and love in this world.

Each and every one of us get to choose each day, how we wake up and view the world.

We get to choose how we respond to what is happening around us.

We get to choose how we treat others.

I want to share with you the words that came in that moment as I sat at the piano. The words, the answer, and the reminder that the choice is up to me.

Lyrics:

You Get to Choose

by Sarah Dion Brooks

Some hold on to bitterness and hate. Others learn to let go.

Some choose to live in their pain. Others use their pain to grow.

Some act out in anger. Others live to be kind.

When will we understand each other, if we choose to stay blind?

'Cuz we live in the same world. Just looked at from a different point of view.

There is something good or something bad, depending on what lens you're looking through.

How does it make you feel, when you focus on the things that you do?

If you only see the bad, step outside yourself and see it from a different point of view.

It's up to you.... you get to choose the kind of world that you see.

It's up to you....you get to choose the kind of person you'll be.

You get to choose.

You make a difference every day. What kind of difference do you make?

It matters what you do and you say, and whether you give or do you take?

It's not about what happens. What matters is how you respond.

Is it out of fear, or is it out of love, that you see inside yourself and beyond?

'Cuz we live in the same world. Just looked at from a different point of view.

There is something good or something bad, depending on what lens you're looking through.

How does it make you feel, when you focus on the things that you do? If you only see the bad, step outside yourself and see it from a different point of view.

It's up to you....You get to choose the kind of world that you see.

It's up to you...You get to choose the kind of person you'll be.

You get to choose.

If you want the world to change, you've got to change the way you see it.

If you want to see the good, you've got to go out there and be it.

Be the Good, Share the Love, Be the Change, Rise Above!

There is hope, hope for peace and hope for love

It's up to you...You get to choose the kind of world that you see.

It's up to you...You get to choose the kind of person you'll be.

You get to choose.

You get to choose.

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I appreciate the reminder. And today I choose love.

I will hope for peace, and hope for love and hope for a better world every single day.

A word of caution, or a disclaimer, or maybe it's just my guilty conscious feeling the need to say this: If you ever happen to see me in a mood that is seems like daggers might be shooting out of my eyes, my hands are clenched and at any moment, you might see steam coming from my ears or nostrils, please, please, PLEASE, do not use my words to try to comfort me. I have realized that although it is meant with good intention, I don't want to be handed a taste of my own medicine. It tastes bitter.

I know these words. I live them and breathe them. Most days. And on the days I don't feel connected with them, deep down I know it's a choice. And I also know that somedays I choose to feel pissed off.

There are moments I tell myself that I want to be angry. And I am sure it is just an excuse because something is bothering me and I can't quite put a finger on it. Something deep within me has awoken, like a dragon, buried deep within my heart somewhere. Something that was never resolved, that likes to come remind me that it needs to heal. And it embarrasses me. I would prefer to walk around as enlightened and loving being.

I still have moments. And those days feel heavy and dark. But the more I practice love and compassion, I have come to realize that there are less dark days than before. I am learning to rise above. I am learning to let go and see new perspectives. I am learning to fear, less, and love more. It is a work in progress. A messy, beautiful, irritating, lovely work in progress.

And this I know to be true- I always feel better when I choose love instead of fear. Always.

Today I choose love.

Namaste sweet friend. I love you.