My kids like to watch “Once Upon a Time”. It’s a show that combines modern times with fairy tales and other magical stories. There are plenty of good characters and villains to keep things interesting. And there is a lot of magic.
Generally what happens is someone gets into trouble and a loved one seeks out a magical solution, which usually entails going to a villain. The phrase that is repeated over and over is, ‘there is a price for using magic’. Sometimes the price is known up front; you must obtain a certain object or person as payment. More often, the price is owing a favor to be determined and collected at a later date. As I watch, I’m amazed at how quickly the characters agree to become indebted to the evil villain.
I know, I know, it’s just a show.
But it reminds me of how quickly I can jump at the chance to do the easy, or selfish, or sinful thing even though I know there will be a price. And usually, the price is higher than I thought or want it to be, and it always comes due at the most inopportune times.
Take my fondness of sweets for instance. I like sweets. I always have. As a kid, I loved to bake. My treats would garner high praise from those around me and would offer that great sugar rush when consumed. Throughout my adult life, I have continued to enjoy sweets. Unfortunately, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that there is a price to be paid when I have sweets too many days in a row. Knowing that I may become irritable and not feel well, does not stop me from overindulging in those delectable treats. I see them. They look good. I know they taste good. I know that I will have that glorious little rush. So I do the easy thing…I eat.
I’m just like those characters. And like those characters, I have to pay the price. (Unfortunately, so do those around me when I get irritable. Sorry.) The crazy thing is that it’s happened more than once or twice or ten or one hundred times. You’d think I’d learn. But like the characters on the show, I keep going back, thinking it may be different this time. How insane!
My hope is that one day sweets won’t have that pull on me, but I’m not sure that will happen. Rather, I think it’s time to choose to do the hard thing and say no. I know; that’s no fun at all!
But here I go. I’ll let you know how it goes…
