According to Greek mythology, Midas was a wealthy eighth-century B.C. king who possessed more gold than anyone in the world. But no matter how much gold he collected, he always wanted more. As the legend goes, a being dressed in white appeared to him and granted him a wish. King Midas instantly asked for a “golden touch,” that everything he touched would turn to gold. And so it was. Everything he touched turned to gold—even his food, his friends, and his daughter. He was horrified! Though he had received what he had asked for, he quickly realized that he didn’t want it! Fortunately for King Midas, the being dressed in white reappeared and revealed the secret that set everything right again.

Remembering this story, we must consider whether what we think we want will bring joy or horror into our lives. Because as we look back at some of the low places of our lives—previous poor choices, hurtful habits, destructive lifestyles—we can see how we ended up abhorring what we thought we wanted.

So right now, we have the great privilege of opening ourselves to healing, transformation and divine revelation. (Literally right this moment, with the thoughts we’re thinking, in the chair we’re sitting in.) We can create new habits, thoughts and speech, acting and speaking in ways that lift us up rather than tear us down. And this redeemed language and these new habits prepare us for a bright future* that we will not despise, but confidently enjoy!

(* By ‘future,’ I do mean a year from now or 5 years from now, and I also mean later today or this same time tomorrow.)