{"id":2088,"date":"2026-04-19T05:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T10:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/gracefulawakening\/?p=2088"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T19:07:15","slug":"choose-light-that-illuminates-your-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/gracefulawakening\/2026\/04\/choose-light-that-illuminates-your-soul\/","title":{"rendered":"Choose Light that Illuminates Your Soul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"Choosing
Choosing Light that Illuminates Your Soul\/created with ChatGpt and Canva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

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So many people today are consumed by negativity. Negativity, and sometimes even despair, become their focus. They lose sight of the goodness of God. Many times this happens because of what choices they make in their lives. They can be small, everyday choices that send them into a whirlwind of negativity instead of illuminating their soul. But each one of us can make better choices. Afterall, God gave us freewill. It is up to us to use it and choose to seek out goodness. We can make choices for positivity that illuminate our soul. We can choose light.<\/span><\/p>\n

We Become What We Consume<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Just like the saying, \u2018What goes up, must come down;\u201d what goes in must come out. Stop and take a look around you. Consider how you are feeding yourself; mind, body and spirit. What kind of TV do you watch? What kind of music fills your ears and your mind? We have little computers that we carry around with us. We have access to all kinds of media. Do\u00a0 you have anything positive and uplifting that you utilize? When you have conversations with people, what is the theme of the focus? Then there is your own mind. This is a big one. Examine your thoughts. Are they of a <\/span>negative nature<\/span><\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Know what you are consuming and know what you are giving out. <\/span>Matthew 6:22\u201323<\/span><\/a> reminds us that \u201c<\/span>The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be<\/span><\/i>.\u201d\u00a0 (<\/span>usccb.org<\/span><\/a>) So, choose light!<\/span>
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Darkness Is Subtle<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

The quiet influence of darkness is everywhere. We see cynicism on a daily basis. The general distrust of other peoples\u2019 motives runs rampant in today\u2019s society. We often assume people are driven solely by self-interest. I know I have to fight this one. Comparison lives strong and is encouraged by all types of media. Instead of appreciating someone else for their gifts and talents, their personal appearance or the material things they have earned, we often offer judgement and suspicion so we don\u2019t feel inferior.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then there is the constant negativity. We often focus on the bad things that have happened or when things don\u2019t quite go as we have hoped or planned. The \u201cwoe is me\u201d attitude is quite popular as well as claiming to be a victim. Let\u2019s not forget the spiritual distraction. These are technology, entertainment, busyness or mental clutter like anxiety and the fear of missing out. Multitasking is another way to fall into darkness. It makes it increasingly harder to focus on just one thing, making prayer and meditation difficult. It is all too easy to just fall into a <\/span>spiritual winter<\/span><\/a>. Don\u2019t allow yourself to be left in the darkness. Choose light.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing Light Intentionally<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Choose light intentionally. Yes, it is a choice and you do have control. Here are some practical alignment tools to help you choose light:<\/span><\/p>\n