A nurse once shared with me her approach to her job. I remember her comment as if it was yesterday; “I did not create the problem. I can, and will, help make things better.”
There is an extension of this comment which applies to my life in different ways. Challenges, difficulties, and negative events have a source. Some of the time I have a hand in them. On other occasions, I am merely a touch point. Life continues to use these moments as teaching opportunities.
Whatever the source is, the recurring question is this; “what will I now?”
It is a question which sits, waiting. Once answered, it returns in the next moment we have, fresh, open, gifting us with an opportunity to use our freedom for good. The repeating circle is what haunts me in the darkness of the reflective examination of my day. As I consider the choices I made, I find choices reflecting my best values as well as ones where my intent was anything but white. I wonder about the origins of my intent, intuitively looking to blame someone, anyone, for less-than-ideal decisions. In these moments, Life gifts me with words first written down centuries ago; “The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust.” (James 1.14).
While the learning process continues, lessons so far include the following.
There is an opportunity to be a better woman/man in every moment. Sadly, you and I have and will give in to life’s dark side. What we do with this is the byline of our life. Using every experience to the full is a divine calling. This includes the ugly ones.
Feeding our hearts and minds is integral to making good decisions. As we nurture our greatest values with beauty, wonder, and awe, we change the foundation of our intent. This is often the best response to a situation where darkness appears.
Let Divinity, in all Her forms, help. We do not walk alone, ever.
