Personal Life Choices

By Maria Villa, Executive Assistant

Aristotle Says, Anybody can become angry - that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is certainly not easy.

Part of the complexity of life is that we are, at the same time, individuals, family members, work colleagues and members of society. Indeed, it is almost arbitrary to separate these categories. But it is sometimes necessary to make such arbitrary distinctions in order to talk about anything in detail and depth. Therefore, let me first focus on what I believe to be the most critical of the many choices that we make as individuals in our heart and minds.

This morning in my way to Casa Dorada something came to my mind. It is something about consciousness

As always, consciousness precedes choice; without it, there is no choice. Thus, the single most important personal choice that we can make in our lives is the choice for ever-increasing consciousness. Consciousness, however, does not make choices easier. On the contrary, it multiplies the options.

To give an example of the complexity of choices, consider how we might deal with our anger. In our brain, there are collections of nerve cells or centers that not only govern but actually produce our powerful emotions. One of these is an anger center. The anger center in humans works in exactly the same way as it does in other creatures: it is basically a territorial mechanism, firing off when any other creature impinges upon our territory.

Since our anger center is firing much of the time, often very inappropriately, sometimes on the basis of perceived, rather that actual infringements, we need to be flexible in dealing with situations that easily provoke our wrath .We must learn a whole complex set of behaviors of dealing with anger. Sometimes we need to think, “My anger is silly and immature..” Or sometimes we should conclude: “This person did impinge upon my territory, but it was an accident and there’s no reason to get angry about it.” Or, well, he did a bit of wrong things, but it's no big deal; it’s not worth blowing up about. But every once in a while, after we think about it for a couple of days, we may discern that someone really did seriously awful things.

So there are at least five different ways to respond when we’re angry. And not only do we need to know them, we also have to learn which response is appropriate in any given situation. At times you are drawn to negative thoughts; do know that these thoughts are “the inner discouragement committee”. It is necessary to understand that you have the power to give them life, by how you respond to them; no wonder that very few people learn how deal well with their anger before they are into their thirties or forties, and many never learn to do so constructively.

We have to learn how to deal with all the problems and challenges of life in a constructive manner that defines psycho spiritual progress. Conversely, that which refuses progress is in opposition to our growth and ultimately self-destructive.

My personal choice is: do not waste time in doubt or despair, allow yourself enjoy every minute, every second of your life… be moved by the breeze of consciousness. Do not think that it must always be a strong wind or a hurricane.