The Age-Old Battle of Good vs Evil: Which Truly Prevails
Where You Linger Determines Your Future: Choosing Life Over Darkness
Les Misérables
Lord of the Flies
Dune
East of Eden
The Never-Ending Story
Throne of Glass
The Screwtape Letters
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Way of Kings
The Bible
This collection of remarkable stories, though penned by various authors and exploring different themes, all revolves around the same narrative: Good triumphs over Evil. Light conquers Darkness. It is the timeless struggle found in epic tales, diverse religions, and even inspirational TED Talks. It's David versus Goliath, Aelin Galathynius against Valg King Erawan, Frodo versus Sauron, Jean Valjean against Javert, the Grinch versus Cindy Lou Who, and Kaladin against Sadeas.
These are the stories we grew up with, offering us hope as we navigate our own life journeys. Yet there are times when we become so overwhelmed by the Darkness that we forget the hope.
For years, I've tried to remind myself to always choose life through my words and actions. Viewing situations from different angles typically prompts a different, more life-affirming response.
However, some days I get caught up in endlessly scrolling through social media or YouTube videos. I end up indulging in negativity, judging others from a biased viewpoint while criticizing them for judging me. I'm fully aware of the irony in that.
I can always sense when I've spent too much time caught in the doomsday scroll. My mindset turns negative, my words become sharp, and I feel physically and mentally exhausted.
It's clear that choosing death will never lead to life. Although it seems obvious, we need to remind ourselves of this frequently.
Recently, I encouraged some people never to give up, reminding them that life often presents situations that tempt us to escape and quit. However, if we stay the course, our determination will nurture the seeds we've planted until they grow into unshakable oak trees.
The next day, I faced the same challenge I had warned them about, and I had to make a decision.
Feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your strength to continue is natural. That's not the problem. What truly matters is how you respond in those moments.
It's okay to feel these things, but it's not okay to dwell on them, because doing so plants seeds of doubt, bitterness, insecurity, and hopelessness.
I chose to pause, meditate on gratitude, and sit in silence to listen.
And guess what?
The answers came.
As one of my favorite songs says, “I threw off despair and put a garment of praise on.” (Everything Is Changing Now by The Belonging Co.)
Instead of letting seeds of negativity take root, I nurtured the seeds of life that had been dormant. Suddenly, I had the energy to complete tasks, set goals, and get organized.
Being able to clearly see what was before me and focus on that, instead of constantly looking back at missed opportunities, gave me renewed drive and the ability to move forward.
This post has taken me months to complete.
Not because I was lazy, but because I needed to sit in this space for a while. There were so many thoughts, both good and bad, that I wanted to put down in a way that showed vulnerability while, at the same time, encouraged the reader.
Learning to serve others first, with no agenda, while struggling to keep myself mentally and physically healthy; knowing when to set a boundary to protect my journey; making sure to take time to stop and rest while maintaining commitments; and staying present for those around me—it's all been a full-time job this year.
And I'm sure many others are experiencing the same thing.
Here's one thing I learned. It has to do with the word linger.
This is where we either choose life or choose death.
You've seen me quote, “What you meditate on, you empower,” several times in my posts, and that is exactly what I am referring to.
Where do you linger?
The Power of Lingering
One of my favorite examples of lingering in the right way comes from the story of Moses and Joshua. In Exodus 33:11, Moses was in the Tent of Meeting, where God spoke to him face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Afterward, Moses left and returned to the camp, but Joshua remained.
Why is this important?
Because we often go about our routines, completing tasks and handling business, without considering what we are planting, watering, and nurturing.
By taking time to maintain the soil, remove weeds, and provide nutrients, we allow life to flourish.
Ignoring the critical and judgmental attitudes we develop means we are nurturing negativity in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Furthermore, it's crucial to assess the environments, mindsets, and people we surround ourselves with.
The sayings “You are what you eat” and “Bad company corrupts good character” hold true. Those you spend the most time with will shape your future. What you watch, read, and listen to will influence your thoughts and speech.
Lingering too long at the dessert bar will affect your body.
Allowing yourself to dwell on self-destructive thoughts can lead to depression and hopelessness.
It is extremely important that we pay attention to what, where, and with whom we are lingering.
When Lingering Becomes a Trap
When I find myself in situations where I feel overwhelmed or easily irritated, I need to pause and reflect.
It's not always simple.
I feel like sulking and dwelling on my misery. But then my body starts to ache because everything is interconnected.
Sometimes, it feels like I've attended a very cheap all-you-can-eat buffet and tried to get my money's worth. Does anyone ever truly feel good after they've eaten that much?
However, when we absorb so much negativity and so many destructive influences, it can lead to physical pain.
The smart approach would be to prevent that from happening, yet we often repeat the cycle.
We linger at the patisserie window until we finally succumb to that rich chocolate dessert.
We hover outside the bar, aware that our recovery is at risk, until we give in.
We linger in our temptations for so long that we can no longer resist the craving and eventually surrender.
Choose Life
A solution exists.
Begin and conclude each day by cultivating gratitude, expressing thanks for future events and past experiences.
Acknowledge your shortcomings and allow yourself the grace to restart.
Schedule moments throughout the day for rest, reflection, and renewal.
Be attentive to opportunities for learning, development, and growth.
Pay attention to the little things, because they are seeds.
Understand when to plant and when to discard.
Recognize when to water and when to uproot.
Know when to harvest and when to let things grow.
Then, begin the next day again.
Keep moving forward.
Reflect on the past, but do not linger.
Until next time,
DJ
