From Obligation to Opportunity

Unique Perspectives: From Obligation to Opportunity

By Kim Stevens

I love the idea that no matter what happens in the world or in my life, I have choices. It's really important to me. It gives me a sense of freedom and autonomy. I’ve realized these feelings are a big part of who I am and what I am here to experience. I’ve said it many times: I want to have the experience of being alive, which is very much about my power to create and choose. Last week, I shared how for a long time, my life was about pleasing others or doing what I thought was expected of me. Obligation ruled my existence. But there is no obligation, only opportunity.  

It’s why I’m so drawn to the Conversations with God series. In these books, it’s explained that God presents me with the opportunity to experience the grandest version of myself, despite whatever is happening in the present moment – good or bad. I just love this idea. It really keeps me moving in the direction of creating the highest version of myself, which I am free to do whenever I want.

In the midst of some event, I get to decide what version of myself I’d like to experience. If I want to experience being an extraordinary leader, a visionary, a level-headed person, it’s a choice I am free to make, even if something happens that might cause me to be afraid or act otherwise. 

These things I share are not always easy. There are times when it takes a great deal of courage and fortitude. But it's always worth it, even when I don’t do this perfectly. There are times when I have the experience of myself as being less than my highest version. There are times when I do things that don’t make me feel proud. But when I find myself in those situations, I am again reminded that I am still at choice. This TOO is an opportunity to have a new experience of myself. What do I want that to be? What version of myself do I wish to experience now, in the face of this?

Maybe that means being the kind of person who admits when she’s wrong or being someone who makes amends. The point is, I am always at choice. Conversations with God says I was given the power to create by my Creator. Thinking about who I want to be then being that person is such an exciting way to create my life. Beyond exciting, it’s the very thing that gives me the experience of being alive. I am not under any obligation. I am always at opportunity, and with this knowledge, I am free.