403

Indeed, in every moment, as I’ve always liked to say on this blog, there is a choice to do the right thing over the wrong thing.

But we seldom remember that in the vast majority of moments, irrespective of how mindful we are, no choice is ever really made.

We often just give ourselves space to feel, to experience the present moment.

We often are stuck in deliberation.

We often just don’t know.

And that’s okay.

Because it will take time, and because the right thing and the wrong thing are in constant flux. At the end of the day, much of it boils down to faith, to patience, to trust—that everything will work out in the end.

402

When there’s nothing left to do,

just look up,

break down,

and believe.

401

Faith—our one defense against the unknown.

400

We emerge from this crucible—

our minds, tested and tried,

our hearts, tender and vigorous,

our faith, restored and renewed,

our souls, filled with redemption.

We will do our best. For You.

399

No one wants to make things right more than You

Have it Your way, do what You long to do

Anything can happen when You move,

so would You come and move here

In moments of great doubt, of great fear, and of great weakness, we so desperately want to take control—to attach our souls to a certain outcome, to want things to happen a certain way.

But in the midst of all this doubt, fear, and all these other nebulous emotions, we fail to realize that we confine our minds, becoming unable accurately comprehend what the future might actually have in store for us, and we chain our hearts, preventing it from embracing the joys of both the present moment and that future to come.

Maybe we need to stop trying so hard to make things right when He is the only one that will make it right.

Maybe all we have to do is surrender—because surrender opens us to realities beyond our current imagination—and realize that we just don’t know anything for certain; for as much as the future might hold pain and loss, it may also very well hold boundless joy and redemption.

Maybe all we have to do is have gratitude—for all that’s happened, for all that we are now, and for all that is to come.

398

Afraid? Don’t let fear make you become the very thing you fear.

Uncertain? You can’t know what you don’t know.

Anxious? Suffering in advance does nothing but impart misery.

Failure is on the horizon? Then so is newfound knowledge and strength.

In every thought and in every action is a choice—a choice to be better, or a choice to succumb to your vices and your circumstances.

Stay focused. Do what needs to be done, and do it with a heavy heart and an open mind.

397

Always seek clarity of mind and stillness of heart.

But when the inevitable comes—when the mind is clouded and the heart is in chaos—do not be shocked, and do not be disappointed.

It is but a reminder to be humble—that you are still human, an imperfect being in an imperfect world.

396

Jump for joy, or fall; it’s the only way you’ll feel the sensation of landing back on the ground.

395

Every ounce of energy expended on the past and the inevitable is a disservice to the future self.

394

I just—I just don’t know.

But maybe it was never about knowing.