Simple choices

Everything in my life is the result of a choice that I have made. How can I complain? All that is required of me, in order to have a different outcome in my life, is to make different choices!

The definition of insanity is continuing our same behaviours while expecting different results.

We may not be able to control what is going on 'out there'. We each have the power, however, to adjust our own perceptions and take control of our own thoughts, words and actions.

We can't have too many reminders of the importance of 'being the change we want to see in the world'. If you feel judged, stop judging. If you feel cheated, stop cheating yourself.

When I find myself being critical of everything, then I know it's time to look within to see what I have been ignoring. Often I've been denying myself the very thing I've been called to do and, as a result, I've been criticizing myself. This happens repeatedly for most of us, doesn't it?

Beneath our different appearances or 'social rankings', we all want the same things in life. How we go about getting those things (or, rather, being those things) always comes down to our choices.

We all want to feel comforted when we are sad or in pain. We all want to share our joy and excitement. Boring people like being around other boring people.

Even when we give ourselves the go-ahead to make changes, there are people in our lives who tell us we can't, or we won't, succeed. Aren't those people really just afraid that we will succeed? Isn't this because then they would perceive their own life choices as less valid? If we are seeking validation from others, we'll always fall short of it. Real power comes when we validate ourselves as the perfectly-created, unique expressions of divine light that we truly are!

Even if we know our purpose in life, why is it sometimes so difficult for some of us to choose better for ourselves? Is it the discouragement from others? Is it that we don't feel worthy of improving our situation? Or is it that we don't know about what choices we have for a better way?

I love giving people choices with regard to food preparation. I live to empower others with new and tasty ways to make healthier food. Who says gourmet has to be complicated? In fact, most don't realize that truly good food is a result of taking a simpler approach.

Have you ever paid ridiculous amounts of money for a 'gourmet meal' only to discover that the portions are tiny and pretentiously arranged on the plate with a garnish of parsley and a drizzle of some unknown substance? That's not gourmet - that's extortion. How you balance flavours is gourmet. So, combined with love and creativity, anyone can create amazing food, without the pretense. True gourmet food is less expensive and more nourishing.

If we choose to eat real foods, prepared in simplicity, instead of packaged foods (which are prepared for profit and not with our health in mind), we will see the results of our choices. Our energy improves and we can taste things better.

There has been a relevant parable circulating amid the social media lately:

An old Cherokee told his grandson of a battle between two wolves that resides within us all.

"One is evil - it is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego," he said. "The other is good - it is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth."

The boy thought about it and asked his grandfather which wolf would win.

The old man quietly replied: "The one you feed."

How could such a simple notion have become so popular?

The world is currently in a state of struggle for simplicity. We don't need more things, we need more freedom to choose better for ourselves. Simple freedoms create peace. Being robbed of these simple freedoms - like real food - causes stress, anxiety and apathy toward other living beings. The more we try to quell our angst with material things, the more suffering we create for ourselves and for others.

"The less you eat, the longer you live, so the more you'll get to eat!" (David Wolfe)

Choose simplicity - your choices will reward you!