The Only Choice
Some time ago I was approached and asked by an individual, “What professional team do you play for?”
I responded to the question by saying that I’m not a professional athlete. She then said, “I thought you were someone important”. It would have been easy to react to the lady, who was a white woman, disgusted and irritated by her statement. I could’ve made an argument that because I have brown skin, in her eyes, the only way I could be important is to play a sport. I could’ve gotten even more upset because she couldn’t have fathomed the idea that I could be an educated professional, a business owner, or even an author because of the color of my skin. I could have but chose not to hold onto those thoughts and go with The Only Choice.
I've heard it said and would agree that football, the sport I was fortunate and blessed to play, is about 80% mental. I would totally agree. I would also say that life is even more mental. Therefore, it is a must to take care of the battle in the mind before attempting to conquer anything. By doing this, all of the idiotic choices and decisions made by individuals and by individuals on social media meant to do harm cannot destroy you because you’re equipped for the game of life and all of its battles. Now, it's not fair and disappointment is real, but these battles can’t defeat you. While writing this I’ve thought on that incident and many others like it and much, much worse.
“In high school my game day was on Fridays and in college they were on Saturdays, but life generates a game day every single day! However, the preparation, either for the football game or the game of life, is the same and it begins with you winning the battle between your ears.”
If you do this, all of the unfair things or challenges that occur may cause disappointment, but it can't break you!
What I’ve realized is whatever I want to live in my life I should spend time with it and whatever I want to die, I should let it die. I've seen, experienced, read, and listened to anger, hate, and prejudices which if allowed, will make you feel justified in reacting and responding with your very own anger, hate, and prejudices.
When responding out of anger, hate, and prejudices from an act that has caused a feeling of justification, it is unfortunate, but you can begin to manipulate and grow to worship your very own agenda. This is the result of giving anger, hate, and prejudice control of your life. You, man, and his mess are now causing conflict in your life. You have given man power over you. You slowly bury your ability to see God in your life because of the crap allowed to be dumped on you and packaged as a justified anger, hate, or prejudice.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
I choose Love and God is Love. He is not a choice. He is the only option. I am no better than anyone, but just as good as everyone. Therefore, NO man will ever have control over me. As long as I have free will, I will choose The Only Option…My God! Idiot choices and situations will happen. Challenges will come and look you directly in the face but it is only one part of your life’s recipe working together with everything else for your good because you love the Lord God! Win the battle between your ears by adhering to the writings in Philippians 3:13-14 NIV,
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
During Black history month and every day and month following, I choose Love! I choose God!
Travis Hartfield is a Behavioral Health Case Manager II at CorAspire Mental Health and Wellness Center. Travis attended Oklahoma State University and received his Bachelors Degree in Education, Masters in Education Technology, and is currently working on his Doctorate. While attending college Travis was also a member of the football team and later coaching staff. Travis is the visionary, founder, and CEO of Qadosh (www.iamqadosh.com), a company that assists educators in overcoming stress & become strengthened and conditioned in life by protecting their overall health and well-being using inspirational coaching and innovation through technology. Travis is an accomplished pastor, motivator, and coach with teaching experience in public, private school, and college environments. As a corporate professional, Travis established himself as a decorated, disease state specialist. He possess an innate ability to communicate effectively in group settings or on an individual basis. He has an exceptional drive to create success in any environment. He has been told to never stop thinking and/or learning as both are necessary to build/maintain momentum in the vision or goal that's been set. Travis accpets SoonerCare insurance.