On This is Me, Loving You

I love people, and love writing. They are two of my passions. Are you interested in or deeply inspired by something: dance, photography, music, fine art, finance, fitness, food, service, travel, the outdoors? I'd be willing to bet that everyone is or has been interested in or deeply inspired by something at one point-in-time or another.

Life is a journey of self-discovery. We are often defined by what we do & think. In truth, we are far more than we sometimes perceive or intend—far more than our doing & thinking. But to convey the following idea, we are our interests; and so, I am an amateur blogger/writer, and you are what you are most passionate about.

If we look more closely at an activity—beyond its descriptor and enactment—we'll understand that it is a basic form of self-expression. It is a means by which to identify ourselves and broadcast that identity out into, and engage with, the world. It is how we connect on as intimate a level as most know how; a bit of a "This is who I truly am!" There are a divulgence and honesty to it.

There are many hats in this world, and by hats, I mean professions, or preoccupations, that do not align with what we are genuinely interested in or inspired by. So the question is, how honest are we with ourselves? If every day is an exercise in lifelessly doing what we think is necessary to "make it" in this world, then it is no more than an oppressive and dishonest enterprise. It is an exercise in stress, depressingly tedious and unrealistic expectations, dissatisfaction, frustration, and sadness. It is a self-inflicted form of suffering.

The great news is that you can change this at the drop of said hat. We seem to be an integral part of existence. As individuals, you might say that we are cells within some unified body of matter. You might argue that each healthy cell contributes to a healthier whole. Alternatively, each of us is a brushstroke on the canvas of life's masterpiece. Although seemingly insignificant, we are infinitely important. We contribute either directly or indirectly, and for better or worse, to the evolution of the world we are a part of. 

The more honest we are in aligning ourselves with our interests, the more productive (and quite possibly healthy and fulfilled) we will become, as individuals and as a whole. In healing yourself, you are healing others. To immerse yourself fully and freely into what you are genuinely interested in or inspired by is of great value. To do so is to communicate and connect in as open and honest a fashion as you are able. It is you, as you are—the head without a hat.

In a world of benchmarks, you can be sure that you will not always measure up. Somehow or someway, you will either compare or be a reference point for comparison. The truth, however, is that there is nothing to compare. A rock is not a tree, is not a bird, is not rutabaga, nor characteristically identical to another rock. You are not someone other than yourself. Be at peace with that and uncover what you are interested in or inspired by if you haven't already. Stop trying to "make it" in the world and start making your world as fascinating or boundless as you can or know it to be indeed. Drop the veil of pretense, acknowledge your fears, and investigate your mystery. Observe your world. Is it as you would have it? If the answer is "No,"; if the answer is "I'm fed up," if the answer is seemingly always accompanied by negative feelings, then perhaps you ought to acknowledge your genuine interests. Listen to and possibly heed your calling.

What might your life or reality be like if you shaped it around what you were most interested in or inspired by? What if you shaped your life around the real you? That you who is only uncaged or unleashed when time, money, preoccupation, profession, and pretense permit? What might your life or reality become? Stop wondering, and find out! Be dance, photography, music, art, finance, fitness, food, service, travel, the outdoors, or whatever you prefer. Even in following what you currently feel to be your interest or inspiration, you may find that it is not so. Do not get discouraged. Remain open and curious; even the seasons change. In finding you will define, and the more untruths you encounter, the more familiar you will become with your truths. Embrace uncertainty and celebrate your exploration of self. It is time to abandon your falsehoods, to unplug from dissatisfaction, and to reconnect with what is real, what is truly meaningful to you.