The Powerfilled - CHOICE (clarified)

 “CHOICE” – such a powerful word!!!

(Just a little upgrading of the thought that I typed in the previous blog.)

 

     It sounds so nice and it indeed is: choice – where I value the different options I have, give them the attention that is due and then I choose one which gives meaning to my life. Oh!, but stopping there, will not get me anywhere.

     The choice has to be made. Yes! And that too a wise one. We have got that part right. The most important part after making a proper choice is to be committed to it. Choice without a proper commitment is just a preference. Today, I choose this and tomorrow whoa, I choose that. But life isn’t lived this way. Moreover, when I choose to respond to God’s call; I choose to live it every day. I don’t intend to take a holiday from that choice. And what will really help me out there, is COMMITMENT. When I commit myself for that choice, all the other options just fade away. Now, you may say, “That goes bang opposite to what I wrote in the previous blog.” And that is where I received clarification. (Thanks to Fr. Vinod) 

     Let me explain, when you commit myself to the choice you make, all the other options that you have had fade away with proper attention having been given to them. Since you have already given them the attention that is due, and have chosen another over them, you have disempowered them. You have chosen something that is of meaning to you. You empower yourself because the choice resides in you. You will be free then. It is you who have made the choice. You can then create your future freely with a proper sense of responsibility. You thus become a creator.

     To cap it off: Choice without commitment is just dillydallying around. Be powerful. Commit yourself to the choice you make and live life to the full. 

 

 

Remember you are here for a purpose.

Find it.

Know it.

Realize it in your life.

Be committed to it.

And live it. 

A NONSENSICAL YET A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE

   

For those who don’t know me (and in that case – Thanks! for reading), I am just finishing my first year of MPh (Philosophy) and I am going to submit my proposal for dissertation by the end of next week.

                What topic do I choose? How will I take it forward in my life? Will I get the desired support? Will a ‘Go Ahead’ green signal shine on my face? Will I be able to CONTRIBUTE, be fruitful? These are just some of the questions that I tackle everyday, with not much result. But then ‘Attachment’ dawned on me! Yup! I will start from there, pull out some insights, go beyond it and as a result CONTRIBUTE.

                I’ll come to what happened (am happy to share) and now begins the non-sensical part! Early in the morning (that was on 12 March), I was angry with God and myself (foolish that I am). I almost threatened HIM to show me the way ahead! And you know what??? NOTHING HAPPENED.

                Just before lunch, out of the blue, I discussed it with Fr. Tony D’souza sdb (our confessor, that’s secondary; a very good person - primarily) and that discussion lit the passion within me once again, to move on. In the evening talk (our recollection was going on) Fr. Ian Doulton sdb mentioned a small incident about the devils discussing (which Don Bosco overheard) as to how to bring the Salesian Congregation down. From there, a small message popped up in my head – My study should be for the benefit of the Apostolate! That I may not just preach but translate it into action. 

              After the talk, just during the adoration, I was having some disturbing feeling. And someone urged me (I believe in Angels) to take may Bible along. I sat on the ground with the Bible in hand and with my eyes closed. Somehow, I saw or imagined or hallucinated or rather felt (I don’t know what) that I was in the midst of a war, that I was fighting (against whom, I could not make out). I opened my eyes, I looked at HIM (Jesus) straight and muttered, “NOW is the time, help me!!!”

                With some instinctual feeling, maybe a prodding from HIS part, I opened the Bible. And the first thing that struck me on the page was the page number. It was 143. (I hope you know the significance! No? Let me help you – it is the code to say ‘I LOVE YOU’ and it just fit my situation) The paragraph that was shouting at me was: (I will put the whole thing down. If you don’t have time just read the bold ones)

                A certain Ananias, came to me and said, “Brother Saul, regain your sight!” In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.”

                Then I went for Confession (something that I’ve been pushing for later days). And what an assurance, I got!!! ……….SUPPORT!!! That’s what matters. And in that happy sentiment, mood, disposition (call it what you want!) I entered the chapel and the Parable of the Prodigal Son was being read! (You know it, right? If not, then just ping me! I will be happy to tell you.) That was enough to cap it all! And all these are just what I needed…………..an assurance to go ahead!!!