Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sometimes, we’re hardest on ourselves.  Indeed, there’s a time and place for such, but I believe that many go a bit overboard with this.  Least, I know I can. 

Our self-image can lead us to accept, tolerate or reject who we are.  Some spend a lifetime chagrinned by who they are.  Instead of accepting, building upon and possibly bettering themselves, they hide their true selves fearful that they won’t be accepted.  Some of this is lead by actual encounters where they weren’t accepted.  Other times, it stems from a deep-rooted phobia that they’ll be outcast if they don’t assimilate to how others behave, think or feel.

How tragic to spend life tucked away so far within one’s self that only the individual gets to see the beauty that shines from within.  The treasures they have to offer.  And yes, I believe that each person has unique gifts they can share.

So much of our society is geared towards blending in.  Keeping up with the Jones’.  Acquiring the next latest and greatest gadget that promises to make one feel better about him or her self.  The latter doesn’t, nor does attempting to squeeze ones’ self into an image that isn’t truly them. 

Take artists for example.  Many are freethinking individuals whose lives revolve around creative thoughts that parade within them, guiding them this way and that to the tune of their own beat.  Without artists who are willing to stand apart from the rest of society and share their amazing gifts, our world would be nothing more than a bleak existence of getting by as we check “to do” items off our list.

Think of scientists, the individuals who reshape the realities of how we view the world.  Without their genius and willingness to think outside the box, oft an unpopular solution to the way things are done, advancements in technology and the way we do things would all but come to a halt.

What about the child who sees a mud puddle and instead of avoiding it, decides to tromp right through the middle of it, delighting in the way the mud gushes between their toes and feels against their skin?  What about the mother who’s tried every traditional means to get through to her child, only to scrap them all and then act upon her instincts that guide her to connect by her own methods?

The willingness to stand apart doesn’t make one weak.  Instead, it shows incredible strength to accept one’s self and have the where-for-all to act upon such.   Therefore, people need to cut themselves some slack.  Instead of focusing on how different we may be from our fellow man, we should concentrate on what we have to offer.