When I first started blogging I had no idea what I would say. Then I started keeping a notebook with me to record random ideas, song lyrics that hit me, things that touched my life, etc. The list is quite long. Actually, in the middle of a conversation the other night I pulled my notebook out and jotted something down. Later that evening my dinner companion asked "So, what did you write down?' "Oh, just some thoughts" I vaguely replied. "Thoughts like..." was the leading response. So, what was at first a morsel of a vague concept was forced to bloom into a really interesting conversation. I loved it. But, what I find truly interesting is I have this enormous list of great things but most nights, like tonight, I have something totally different I want to say. So, bear with me as I nurture this tiny bud of an idea to bloom. It's one I have nurtured quite some time now.
Almost a year ago I went to a dear friend with a "situation." I was not lost so much as directionless and, having never traveled this particular journey before, I had no idea of the terrain, the climate, nor the destination. My friends looked me straight in the eye and said "Sis, no matter what happens, always be true to yourself."
These words have remained with me, echoing like a mantra in my head as I have traveled this dusty, muddy, slippery, sunny, and glorious road of life. It hasn't always been easy but that phrase has led me a merry chase! There have been days when I have no idea who "myself" is! Days when I have doubted God's presence in the process or times when I felt as if the next step would destroy me. So, what does being "true to myself" mean?
Shakespeare says this about the topic; "But above all, to thine own self be true." John Hull said; "He who trims himself to fit others eventually whittles himself away." God has created in each of us a unique person who knows Him, who knows how He would have us live. This person is our true self entailing our genetic heritage, our personality traits, our upbringing, etc. Over time, these elements of who we are can be colored by a variety of external factors including our careers, educational influences, people we associate with, the culture and time we live in, etc. It is easy to let the external factors blind us to the innate identifiers ingrained in us. For me, when life became completely out of control and I was lost within myself I knew it was time to get help. I was not "true to myself," I was behaving out of character and had lost control of elements of my life normally well in hand. It was only with help from friends and professionals that my "true self" was able to reemerge and regain some semblance of control.
The idea of being true to ourselves is really the practice of living our lives in reflection of what we believe, not what others would have us do or believe. It is allowing our uniqueness to shine through so that others will see us as our true selves, not as shadows of who we could be.
My friends advice stays with me every day. Every day as I travel this path of life I hear that voice, "Sis, be true to yourself" and I know now what he meant. It means I work to know what I believe and who God created in me. I work to let my every action and reaction grow out of the love and grace shown to me by God. I realize and constantly remind myself that God has given me wonderful gifts to share and, in sharing them generously with others, rich rewards will be mine.
So, my brothers and sisters be TRUE to the glorious uniqueness that is you. Hold tight to what is true in your life and let God control all things. Only when we prayerfully act in truthfulness to the person He has created can we live in His truth.
And...thanks for your words of wisdom, other little bro. You know who you are but have no idea how much those words have stuck with me and helped me along the way. You are a blessing.
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