260326 What I learned in my studies this morning 6

Today's Meditation:

In the book Illusions by Richard Bach, there's a scene where the protagonist and his spiritual guide are discussing freedom.

The guide, Donald tells our hero that "We are all free to do whatever we want to do.”

The main character offers a proviso:

“Almost. You forgot a pretty important part,” I said.

“Oh?”

“We are all free to do what we want to do, as long as we don’t hurt somebody else,” I chided.

Shortly thereafter, following the brief appearance of an ersatz vampire, Don continues:

“The thing that puzzles you,” he said, “is an accepted saying that happens to be impossible. The phrase is hurt somebody else. We choose, ourselves, to be hurt or not to be hurt, no matter what. Us who decides. Nobody else. My vampire told you he’d be hurt if you didn’t let him? That’s his decision to be hurt, that’s his choice. What you do about it is your decision, your choice: give him blood; ignore him; tie him up; drive a stake of holly through his heart. If he doesn’t want the holly stake, he’s free to resist, in whatever way he wants. It goes on and on, choices, choices.” 

“When you look at it that way...”

“Listen,” he said, “it’s important. We are all. Free. To do. Whatever. We want. To do.” (bold emphasis added)

It's the choices I make with that freedom that define who I am.

Choose to be better.

Choose to put people first.

Choose kindness.

Choose faithfulness.

Choose peace.

Choose.