Freedom to Choose

My wife and I decided to go on a water-only fast. Just for fun. We set a target of 72hrs. 

The result? 

We completed 50 hours. Then, exhausted and nauseous, we relented and nibbled some fruit.* 

I was unsure how to feel about this. Proud to have made it so far or disappointed not to have reached the target? 

Then it hit me: I actually felt both ways, depending on my thoughts. 

When I thought about having gone more than two days without food I felt proud. 

When I thought about having missed the target I felt disappointed. 

I oscillated between these two thoughts, each equally true. Then I realised, hang on a minute. If both thoughts are true, I can just choose between them. 

 Oh well, I reasoned, I might as well choose proud. It feels so much better 😊 

 If you’re not feeling good about any aspect of your life, slow down and check. There might be a better feeling to choose you just hadn’t noticed was there. 

Whatever your situation, it’s not too late to make a fresh choice. In fact, it never is! 

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*The photo captures the 50hr mark when my son, overwhelmed with pity, gave me a big hug to cheer me up.