I met A Good DoG one day when analyzing the choices that I have made throughout the course of my life. The Good DoG took the form of this realization that God will use us for the greater good, regardless of the choices we make.
This is what I mean...
Regardless of the choices we make, we will be used as an example to enhance the overall wellbeing of the world. For example, in certain moments, we make choices that negatively impact others or ourselves. During such moments, we will be utilized as an example of what not to do. Although we will not always influence others with our negative actions or behaviors, when the timing is right, God will place us in an environment with someone who needs to learn a lesson from our negative choices.
Can you think of moments when someone may have learned what not to do through a negative choice that you made?
Other moments exist when we make choices that positively impact others or ourselves. During such moments, when someone needs to learn a lesson from our positive choices, we will be utilized as an example of what should be done. We have the choice on how we want to influence others. We can act as a negative example and help teach others how not to live. Or, we can act as a positive example and help teach others how to make choices that contribute to the greater good of themselves and the world.
Can you think of moments when someone may have learned a valuable lesson through a positive choice that you made?
We are all teachers of the greater good, regardless of the choices we make. Although making negative choices will cause detriment to others and ourselves, such choices can still contribute to the greater good of this world. When making these choices, people will learn by our example that unhealthy choices cause pain and suffering to themselves and others. Seeing the detriment that we have inflicted upon ourselves and others will motivate those learning through us to make choices that will have a more positive impact on themselves and others. They will, as a result, be better equipped to serve as a positive example to others. By making positive choices, we bring goodness into the lives of others and ourselves. Therefore, our positive choices also contribute to the greater good of this world. Seeing the glory that we have bestowed upon others and ourselves will inspire those learning through our example of positive choices to make choices that will allow them to live a good, happy, productive life.
Making positive choices fosters a win-win scenario. We win because we feel genuinely good about the choices we make. Others win because we grant goodness upon them, and they learn the value of positive living. In contrast, making negative choices fosters a lose-win scenario. We lose because we cause harm to certain others and ourselves. However, specific individuals win through our negative decisions because they gain the wisdom of how not to live.
In addition to our roles as teachers, we are also students living in a world of continuous instruction. Just as we are placed in environments with others who need to learn lessons from us, we are placed in environments with others who will fulfill our learning needs. We may also be placed in environments where we teach ourselves through our own positive and negative examples. This is a form of trial and error that we employ to learn what types of choices do or do not align with our current and/or desired lifestyles. When we need to learn lessons, we will encounter the appropriate circumstances that will cultivate the necessary learning. To maximize the value of the lesson, however, we must pay close attention to the lesson to be learned and absorb the knowledge and wisdom that accompany the moment.
Much education exists without intentions of the teacher to teach or the student to learn. Therefore, we must make a conscious effort to be aware of the infinite lessons around us and teach others through our positive, rather than negative, ways. Adopting a lifestyle of healthy choices will help us ensure that we are displaying the right example during unsuspected educational opportunities. We will inevitably be placed in environments where we do not intend to teach so we need to choose whether we want to be placed in environments in which we teach through negative example or environments in which we teach through positive example.
You are a teacher of the greater good. Make the choice of how you want to teach.
Would you prefer to inflict harm upon others and yourself, and teach to others through your negative ways? Or, would you prefer to bestow goodness upon others and yourself, and teach others through your positive ways?
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