I stroll along the avenue with ease and joy,
Healthy, free,
The world unfolds before my eyes,
The long dusty road guides me
To anywhere I choose.
—Whitman
1. Decisions are Made with Actions, Not Words
The surface of the pond resembled a bright clean glass. As I ascended a small hill, quickly, the pond got shielded by the terrain, disappearing behind me. Before long, the path widened, splitting into three diverging roads.
“You lead the way,” said the sage.
“But I don’t know where I’m headed,” I protested.
She looked at me, smiling, “That’s an interesting thought, traveler. But I believe you already know your direction, whether you realize it or not. So, which road will you choose?”
“Does it make any difference?”
“In the end? Not at all,” she replied, “Ultimately, all roads lead to the same destination. However, one might pass through green valleys, another might lead to rocky peaks, and the third may traverse through a dark, shadowy forest. You can’t be sure where each leads, but a choice must be made.”
I smiled back, “I have a feeling there’s more to what you’re saying.”
“Choose your path, and then we’ll talk.”
“Alright… this one,” I said, pointing.
“Hmm?” she inquired, as if she hadn’t heard me, “Have you made your choice?”
“I have! I chose this middle one.”
Again, she seemed to not hear me, “Our time together is limited, traveler. I suggest you make a choice so that we can get going.”
“But I…” Suddenly, it clicked. So I started walking towards the middle path.
“That’s right! The rule of choice tells us, decisions are represented by actions, not words,” she concluded.
2. No Matter What Life Gives You, You Have the Choice on How to Face It
The sage pointed to the sky and asked, “Do you see the eagle soaring in the sky?”
I nodded.
She then squatted down and pointed at a spider weaving its web nearby, “Just like the eagle soaring high and this little spider, most creatures on Earth have limited choices, acting on instincts and animal intuition. But you have free will, that is — the power of choice, and your destiny is largely determined by the choices you make now.”
“Free will,” she continued, “means you can choose to follow the deeper laws your intuition tells you, or let impulses, fears, and habits rule and dominate your life. If at times you resist or overlook wiser guidance for momentary satisfaction, the outcomes of your choices will eventually lead you back to cooperating with the spiritual laws; one choice leads you to a path filled with sunshine, while another leads to challenges and tests that strengthen you. Hence, everything has its embedded purpose and benevolence.”
“But I don’t feel I’m choosing the direction of my life; at times it feels like fate, it’s destined.”
“Most of our decisions are guided by subconscious wisdom. Your inner knower has more information than your conscious mind can access, so sometimes, you don’t know why, but you attract certain unwanted people and experiences into your life, yet they bring you the greatest benefits and learning experiences.”
“So how do you explain the impoverished, the suffering, and the starving? Are you saying that, to some extent, they chose their suffering?”
The sage halted and gazed at the dark forest ahead, “Suffering has many faces, even the wealthy know the taste of suffering. What one can do is make the best choices within the given circumstances — choose to face life, choose love, choose service, choose connection with everything. No matter what life gives you, you have the choice on how to respond internally. You can resist, lament your fate; or, choose to face and embrace, allowing life to expand infinitely.”
“What about those who choose unpleasant experiences or hardships because of caring for others?”
“If you set aside personal desires for the benefit of your children, your loved ones, or others, it’s a spiritual act of self-sacrifice. But if you feel victimized, it’s time to reflect. Taking on too much responsibility for others is robbing them of the learning from their own choices. People in pain need our warmth and support, yet, if we take on their responsibilities, we’re taking away their capability and their self-respect.”
3. Choose Who You Are, Where You Are, and What You Want to Do
I pondered her words, staying silent as we continued walking uphill. Then another question popped into my mind, “Sometimes, I doubt my choices—about my emotions… relations with people around me, and work…”
The sage cut me off, “When you get home, I suggest you propose a divorce to your wife.”
“What? What did you say?”
“Why not divorce? You have the power to do so at any time. Just make a call to a lawyer.”
“I can’t do that,” I interrupted her this time.
“Why?”
“Because it will cause a lot… create a lot of pain. My wife, my children, and my own pain. Financial situation would be a mess. Besides, I made vows when I married. Also, it’s not a good example for my children.”
“So, you’re trapped,” she said.
“I am not!”
“You sound trapped,” she said gently, “You gave me several good reasons—telling me why you can’t divorce. But, it’s only when you reclaim the power to end the relationship, can you be fully honest and honor your commitment. Only then, can you passionately choose to live in the marriage, not ‘have to,’ ‘need to’ maintain a relationship for this or that reason. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I replied, smiling, “I think I get it.”
“It’s not just about your marriage,” she said, “It’s about your job, your friends, where you live, and your life.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Like some people, they forget they have the power to choose, feeling stuck in relationships unable to break free. Some feel bound by circumstances or life itself, waiting until extreme pain comes before finding the courage, will, and self-respect to make new choices.”
“Unless you realize you have the power to say ‘no,’” she continued, “you can’t truly say ‘yes,’ or truly commit — be it to your relationships, your life, or anything. You don’t have to wait or hope to make positive, empowering changes; you don’t have to go to school; you don’t have to work, have children, or meet others’ expectations and desires.”
“You don’t have to do anything, just recognize that — every action or inaction has its impacts and outcomes, and you are willing to accept these outcomes. This willingness gives you the power and freedom to choose who you are, where you are, and what you want to do. This is when life transitions from a burden of obligations to a joyful blessing filled with opportunities. This, is when miracles happen.”
4. Embracing the Power of Choice Regardless of Pressure or Expectations
Previously, the path I chose led us deep into the forest, where the dense, fragrant trunks formed a natural canopy overhead. A gentle breeze brushed through the treetops above, and under the shelter of nature, the sage shared a final reminder about the rule of choice: “The moment you realize that no matter the external pressures or expectations, you have the power to choose, you can change direction at any moment. It feels like submerging underwater for a long period and then emerging back to the surface.”
“This power might intoxicate you, or when you see an enticing alternative in your current state, you might be tempted to change your relationships, your career, or any new domain of life that feels challenging and frustrating. Some new choices may be appropriate, perhaps even overdue, yet, making brave choices often means—taking responsibility for your current circumstances and engaging in them with more passion than ever before.”
“The more you respect the rule of choice,” the sage continued, “the clearer you live, and create your life; you no longer doubt whether you are on the right life path, with the right people, or in the right job. You will choose consciously, living each day to the fullest.”
I reflected on the choices in my life that led me here, my work, and my family, and realized I had been away from home for nearly eight hours.
I found myself saying to the sage, “I am grateful for these teachings, but I should head back. There are things to handle at home.”
She shrugged, “Choice means: giving up what you want for something you want more. It’s your choice, and you can leave whenever you decide.” I had hoped she might try to convince me to stay a bit longer, but her detached and transcendent demeanor surprised me. I suddenly felt strange, as if I might never see her again once I left.
“I…I think I can stay a little longer,” I replied.
“You don’t sound very sure,” she observed.
“No, I am sure, really. I want to stay; I just didn’t expect it to be this long and had some plans initially.”
The sage just smiled, as if she knew me better than I did, which was very likely the case.
As we exited the forest, we were greeted by a vast expanse of rolling hills, with a clear view of the surroundings; my vision broadened in an instant, mirroring my expanding awareness. Strangely, the distant city and houses seemed very unfamiliar.
At this moment, here with this lady, I felt as though I was in another realm, and the time spent on this journey felt as short as a blink in my everyday world.
“Let’s continue our journey,” said the sage, already moving along a steep path.
Final Words
We possess free will, yet are simultaneously bound and blessed by the immense responsibility—the power of choice. Our future, largely speaking, is predetermined—since we can’t control all circumstances; however, we can choose our reactions to situations. By reclaiming the power of choice, we find the courage to live in this world.
