Every day, I have the opportunity to walk by the ocean, contemplate, and let the beauty of nature set my day. I don’t always take that opportunity, but I do have that choice every day. Sometimes, I wonder if the day will come when I regret that I didn’t take that walk every day. I don’t think so, because I know that I am always at choice; and when I stay present, those choices come from a creative, intuitive place. I know what is best for me every day.

If thoughts are things—and I know they are—then this is one of the greatest freedoms we possess: the freedom to choose our thoughts and the power we give them. That choice may very well be determining the quality of my life in this very moment. As Science of Mind teaches, the more power we give our thoughts, the more influence they have over our experience.

Yesterday, as I began my day with Spiritual Mind Treatment—a movement of thought in a definite direction—I declared what I intended this day to bring. I knew enlightenment was on the menu, and it most definitely was.

I listened to a webinar featuring Dr. Lauren Artress, founder of Veriditas, and Stephen Martin, author and astronomer. I was captivated by their conversation, and it profoundly expanded my thinking.

The webinar explored the evolving Universe that is expressing itself through each one of us. Many of the ideas reflected familiar Science of Mind principles: that the Universe works through us, that everything we could ever need already exists within our own consciousness, and that we are the Creative Process. Stephen Martin, however, took the conversation one step further. “The Universe is 13.8 billion years old and continues to evolve to this very day. However, it evolves through each one of us.”

The scope of that idea is breathtaking. It means that everything the Universe has become lives within us and is available to us when we consciously align with it. That alignment is a choice.

Yet many people, judging by the state of our world, either don’t realize they have that choice or have never been taught to exercise it. Instead, we continue living inside tightly constructed boxes built from early conditioning and inherited beliefs. We cling to those beliefs as though they were permanent, forgetting that we are free to examine them, transform them, or release them altogether.

Perhaps this explains so much of the suffering we see around us. We continue to recreate war, poverty, division, and even our disregard for the planet because we continue to recreate the thinking that produces those conditions.

And yet, I believe something remarkable is happening. More and more people are awakening to their own evolution and, in doing so, contributing to the evolution of humanity itself. Ernest Holmes often spoke of a tipping point. He believed that if just 51 percent of humanity consistently held thoughts of peace and cooperation, a profound shift in consciousness would occur.

Do you feel that shift is happening, or do you believe we are stuck? Sometimes I catch myself thinking from a place of discouragement. But I don’t stay there for long. If 13.8 billion years of evolution are expressing through my own consciousness, then I have a choice. I can climb aboard the evolutionary train, or I can remain where I am.

As Ernest Holmes beautifully wrote: “Within us is the unborn possibility of limitless experience. Ours is the privilege of giving birth to it.”

Another idea Stephen Martin and Lauren Artress explored was that the Universe is inherently creative. Think about it. For 13.8 billion years it has been creating stars, galaxies, planets, and life itself.

Then comes the astonishing realization: We are that Creative Process.

There is an avalanche of creativity seeking expression through humanity right now. It feels almost like another Renaissance waiting to unfold.

What does that mean? It means that with every breath and every thought, we have the freedom to participate in creation. Creativity isn’t reserved for artists, musicians, or writers. Every one of us is creating every single day. Every conversation, every decision, every act of kindness—or fear—is an act of creation.

When I began my morning with Spiritual Mind Treatment, I wasn’t simply praying. I was creating. By speaking my word, I was consciously designing my day.

Dr. Lauren Artress shared another statement that has stayed with me: “Everyone comes to Earth with sealed orders.”

What a beautiful image. Those orders contain our unique purpose, our gifts, and the life that is waiting to be lived. The wonderful news is that we are free to open those orders whenever we choose.

I believe that opening those sealed orders is the real work of our lives. It is why we are here. Perhaps we begin opening them each time we feel genuine joy in what we are doing. Perhaps that joy is the soul recognizing itself.

Deep down, I think we already know why we are here. We always have.

Tomorrow morning the ocean will still be there. So will my choices. And in that moment—as in every moment—I will remember that I am free.

Aloha,

Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren, Author and Co-Founding Spiritual Director CSL Kaua’i

Freedom to ChooseConscious EvolutionThe Creative Process