The Choice

I step through the light into a realm outside my own. A garden of both good and evil. A place I have always known of, but kept locked away in the dark recesses of my mind, choosing to believe I would never face what is before me. Yet, here I am.

I count six pairs of pods. A dozen choices, each a portal into another world. My entire body trembles. This cannot be put off.

Through the crystal glass of the first pod, I find infinite beauty. A city, sparkling as if fresh off an assembly line. Plants in vibrant bloom. Gardens overflowing with ripe produce. Every forest lush. Each home flawlessly kept and manicured. Its purity pierces my soul, washing away a lifetime of filth and guilt. Yet it doesn’t quite feel right for me. It’s so… sterile.

In the pod beside me, I see—no, I experience—humanity ravaged by war. Fires burn in every corner. Explosions rip buildings and people apart. Flesh melts from the bones of the living inhabitants. I choke back bile, wondering though, what role I might play in rebuilding this society.

I step away and eye more options. The two pods go dark. Those opportunities have passed; ten choices remain.

The next shows me a land of opulence. Golden streets and silver sidewalks. Pearls, emeralds, diamonds, and every precious stone grows on trees. Lakes and ponds made of pure crystal. A refuge of untold wealth all for the taking. Is there such a thing as riches when it all comes free? How worthless these things must be.

A glance into the opposing pod fills me with emptiness. My soul is void. It’s a place where people surround themselves with family, friends, and associates, but none are connected. Everyone is alone, longing to fill the hole inside them yet unable—or unwilling—to do so. I struggle to push myself away, compelled only by the remaining choices ahead.

The two pods that follow open into contrasting realms of light and darkness. In the light, all is exposed, and with it boundless freedom. But also nowhere to hide. In the darkness, my thoughts are mine to keep. My shame, my hate, my anger are forever safe, locked in my soul.

My next choices are between strength and weakness. Health and sickness. Ease and struggle. Relaxation and toil. The collision of these dualities reverberates in my spirit. I must decide between surrendering control or finding my own way. The perfect path against one of difficulty, where at least I can claim my own accomplishments.

Another set represents eternal love against its absolute absence. For a cherished moment, I bask in that love. I lose myself, surrendering every selfish desire that once filled my childish understanding of what love is. I am safe. But the opposing pod opens my eyes to the system behind this love. A system of blood. Where hate and harm once ran rampant because free will wasn’t controlled. What love allows evil, if only for a time? The blank slate compels me to create a world in my own image.

Two pods remain; both places of worship. Ceaseless and unending. In one, I sing praises to a mighty, all-powerful Being. In the other, I am the one worshiped. My choices are to glorify a Creator or that which I create. The system I construct will approve every desire, and I will call it good.

Every pod in the garden re-activates. I now understand they are connected. I have not twelve choices, but two.

The first: everything I ever thought I wanted.

The second: all that I profess to hate.

My heart has made its choice. Years ago, and every day since. Why would today be different? I have always known where these paths lead. And with this last opportunity, I choose the same again.