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by Georgie Márquez-André May 15, 2005
WILL, n. That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue. The will is directed or influenced by the judgment. The understanding or reason compares different objects, which operate as motives; the judgment determines which is preferable, and the will decides which to pursue. In other words, we reason with respect to the value or importance of things; we then judge which is to be preferred; and we will to take the most valuable. These are but different operations of the mind, soul, or intellectual part of man. Great disputes have existed respecting the freedom of the will. Will is often quite a different thing from desire. DESIRE, n. An emotion or excitement of the mind, directed to the attainment or possession of an object from which pleasure, sensual, intellectual or spiritual, is expected; a passion excited by the love of an object, or uneasiness at the want of it, and directed to its attainment or possession. Desire is a wish to possess some gratification or source of happiness which is supposed to be obtainable. CHOICE, n. The act of choosing; the voluntary act of selecting or separating from two or more things that which is preferred; or the determination of the mind in preferring one thing to another; election. (Definitions taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.) One could say that one of the main difference between humans and animals is that humans can not only recognize patterns but can create them... on purpose, for no reason other than desire. Spiders knit their fanciful webs, each species producing its own signature "logo" pattern. Birds build wonderful, intricate nests... monkeys use simple tools... but only humans, out of their own accord recognize, re-create, or create patterns many times for "no good reason." It all comes down to the fact that humans live in a world of choosing and then acting on those choices. Even reacting involves choices. We can't control our feelings, or how others treat us, but we have a choice as to how we will respond. The key, I think, is that often we really don't have the will to choose what we know is right. We may have the desire... but lack the willpower to take the steps necessary to make the right choices. And yet, we all know that doing the right thing, for the right reasons is an easy rule to live by. Easy to accept logically, hard to accomplish emotionally; thus, the tyranny of compromise. So, here's a motivating thought... refuse to choose to stay where you are; don't get comfortable! Don't settle for what you have. Look out and up, look to God and to the plans He has for you and your life. Be creative, be innovative, transform, learn new things, embrace the adventure that is your life, you only get one chance. There are no entitlements here... you don't get to claim an exciting life... it won't just happen to you. You need to have the will to decide you want it. Then you need to choose to act and enter in.
Have a blessed week.
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