Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Choosing Love...

This last week I checked out the movie "Defending Your Life" from the library...  It's an older Albert Brooks movie (probably late 80's or early 90's) starring Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks.  I remember seeing it years ago, and I remember enjoying the message, thus the last minute check out.

I am so very glad I did... and  I would encourage those who like to ponder, to take the 90 minutes to watch.  It's a story about choosing love rather than fear.  A choice that I believe we all get to make almost every hour of every day. 

As I've been pondering this movie, and the implications it has in my own life I am beginning to believe that fear and love are polar opposites.  That it's kind of like darkness cannot exist in a room of light.  When we choose to love we choose to release our fears.  When we choose to love, we have courage, we have joy, we have confidence.  I believe that choosing love has more to do with the truth that...  it is a choice...

I choose to be loving... Which includes loving myself, and loving all those around me.  Not because they are loveable all the time, nor even that I am always loveable.  Rather, I choose to be loving, for that is the person I desire to be. 

When I make that choice, I find that the "fears" I was so worried about are released.  I find that other drivers don't bother me, for as I choose love, I choose to see them as human beings, each with their own lives that are lives of importance.  It's incredibly freeing!  What others think of me is irrelevant, for I am choosing to love, and I have absolutely no control over their thoughts and actions anyway.

The other odd thing I've noticed - is that the actions in my life may not change depending on the choice.  For instance, I can get up and take on "my list" for the day - either in a state of fear, or in a state of love... The list may get accomplished either way, but I'm finding the difference to be my inner state of being.  When I'm afraid, I'm constantly looking for outward approval and acceptance.  When I'm choosing love, I find joy in the doing, and I'm open to the changes and opportunities that come my way.  Interesting.

However, lest you be under the illusion that I have figured out a way to do this continually...  alas...  Just like in the movie, there are still times that I am completely sidelined by fears...  But I was inspired.  I am finding it easier to take the leap, to continue to move through the moments of the day choosing love...  and perhaps, choice by choice, I will find that I have released my need to be afraid...  And in the terms of the movie, I hope to 'move onward.'  Here's to hoping! 

As spring sets into the beautiful valley we live in, why not try a scientific experiment...  Try making a conscious choice to love the next time you are feeling a bit afraid... and just see what happens...  It might be fun! Have a super loving week!
-Jo

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