Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the anger in our world. It’s hard to believe that in 2025, some parts of society behave worse than early humans. Back then, killing and violence were mostly about survival. Over time, however, killing shifted to gaining power over religion and land control. Today, violence is often used simply to make a political statement.
Unlike simpler life forms, humans have more options available. Instead of acting solely on instincts, we can fact-check to make rational decisions. We can analyze different sources of information and base our choices on truth. However, society has changed in a way that leads us to make decisions influenced by narratives that justify violence as a form of effective communication. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Many of our greatest leaders have been demonized, like Martin Luther King, who was murdered for his march for freedom and his peaceful resistance movement.
As long as we have freedom, we hold the power to choose. We can decide to gather facts or accept someone else’s narrative. We can be driven by anger or guided by kindness.
A Course in Miracles teaches us that we have two choices: love or fear. One brings happiness, while the other leads to pain and suffering. Although it may seem impossible to feel love toward someone who is perceived as harmful, selfish, or unkind, it is still possible to approach any conflict from a place of love instead of fear. The former looks beyond the behavior and seeks a constructive (win-win) solution, while the latter seeks only to purge a reaction (lose-lose). Let’s work toward a loving solution rather than actions driven by fear, which can be destructive.
Some people lack the freedom of choice. It’s something we can only protect by committing ourselves to a loving society that respects differences—so long as they are not forced on others.
We can’t control others, but we can control ourselves. True strength comes from being kind when you want to lash out, walking away when you want to fight, and gathering facts when you want to hold onto limited beliefs.
When we choose loving behavior over power and control, the wings of freedom will cover our world with peace instead of war, joy instead of suffering, and unity instead of separation. Most importantly, we will nurture a planet filled with loving and empowering relationships – as we were meant to do all along. Each of us can make a point today that whenever we feel upset, we can either stay stuck or move toward a loving solution. Love is always a choice.
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Donna Marks is an educator, licensed psychotherapist, and addictions counselor in Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked with over 6,000 clients. Donna’s struggle with addiction brought her to a worldwide search for healing. She became licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in 1987. In 1989, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Adult Education, then became Certified in Addictions, Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Hypnosis, and Sex Therapy. Donna developed an award-winning addiction training program at Palm Beach Community College. She co-owns an outpatient treatment program and serves as a consultant to treatment centers. For 36 years, she has taught A Course in Miracles.
Donna is the author of three books: the multi-award-winning title Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure, and Learn, Grow, Forgive: A Path to Spiritual Success, The Healing Moment: Seven Paths to Turn Messes into Miracles of Love, and her latest fiction, Fortis & Sapiente – A Tale of Two Lovers Who Successfully Navigate the Murky Waters of Love. Donna is a public speaker and has shared her methods with millions of listeners on podcasts and radio shows.
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