Second Chances

A sign that we are on a spiritual path is that we get "second chances."  We all have shortcomings and bad moods from time to time.  It is the human condition.  Without a spiritual way, we tend to encounter a situation, follow it with some negative thought, feeling, emotion, and then immediately let that energy take over us as we act out.  Example:  You plan to eat something that is in the cupboard or refrigerator.  You are hungry and looking forward to this food.  You go to fetch it, and it is gone!  Enraged, angry, hurt, you begin to judge and accuse someone(s) of being dysfunctional to your plans.  If no one is around to blame, you begin talking out loud to yourself in anger and frustration.  You plan punishment for others.  None of this satisfies your hunger.  It gets you no food.  Now, with a spiritual program, you get a second chance.  Same instance: you go for the food and it is gone.  Same feelings come up...BUT you don't act on them.  You recognize them and the energy of these feelings but something else rises up, a different thought, that gets in the way of your acting out as above.  What thought?  Something, such as, "Oh I guess someone was hungry.  It is not my personal cupboard or refrigerator.  My name was not on the food..  I hope someone enjoyed it."  This second thought, less angry, more connecting in a positive way, is your second chance.  You get a second chance to respond to the same situation.  Recovery programs are second chances for addicts.  The first chance, very precarious, is that you will be happy with your addictive way of life.  Crash.  Enter recovery.  A second chance at life.  Second chances are living life on life's terms, not your personal and isolated plans for happiness.