Yellow Roses

There are many different beliefs surrounding the idea of choice. While many believe our lives are predetermined by our Creator, others seem to think we have absolute free will. How many times have you heard the phrases “what is meant to be will be” and “things happen for a reason”? Have you ever thought to yourself, “why did I do this thing or that thing?” Only to not be able to come up with a logical reason. Were your steps or your decisions divinely guided? Is choice merely an illusion? I have come to believe that we have only the illusion of choice. Meaning, we are given only the power to choose from a pre-determined set of responses or actions, both of which lead to a destined place or outcome. The journey to that outcome, however, is based on the path we chose. On the flip side, we sometimes take actions out of selfishness, desperation, and lack of knowledge, or we fail to act in ways that are loving while we are on our journey to our destiny. These are the things that not only derail our path and make life more difficult but can also adversely affect those whom we encounter, making their journey less pleasant. Our choices and the choices of others can affect generations to come. The attitudes, practices, and idealism that we pass on to our children can make their responses and actions tainted and seemingly cursed.
In Remedé Valicio’s life, she always seemed to choose the path with the hardest road. As she watched the journeys and ultimate destinations of those who came before her, she vowed to not repeat those patterns no matter the costs. She was determined to alter her destiny and avoid what she perceived as the greatest curse of all “love.” On her journey, she had chosen the hard, long, and sometimes lonely road. In doing so, she had kept her connections light and her heart safe. When she made the decision to return home after her journey of independence and self-discovery, she never imagined she would be faced with such a new set of difficult choices. She had no clue of the true complexity of the generational curse she had run from all these years, and she certainly gave no regard to her past actions. However, she was soon to find out that some things cannot be outrun because, ultimately, no matter the path, the destination is the same.