BEING OUR BEST SELVES

I think it’s possible that too often we interpret being our best selves in terms of being our most active selves … in moments we are the busiest. But being busy is not the equivalent of being productive, wise, kind, giving or loving. It’s more than okay to sit quietly, read a book, play a game … not be doing anything in particular that is going to advance the wisdom and greatness of mankind. That is perfectly OKAY. Allow someone else to be the “hero” from time to time.

Not all moments are meant to be creative, contributive and socially and physically active. Value exists in quality not quantity. So moments when we are just being still are very valuable and very healing … perhaps moments in prayer or meditation … but also moments in simple relaxation, doing something that takes our minds off our concerns, someone else’s concerns that too often we feel it is our job to “fix”. Take a break, put your feet up. Dive into that murder mystery or sweet love story that takes you away … far away from the cares and responsibilities of the moment and into a state of simple BEING. 

God did not create us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders and to be on a personal quest to save whatever is currently in need of saving. Sometimes, just sometimes, it is our Selves we need to save. Save from hurrying, doing, trying to please someone else. When you come right down to it, it is ourselves we need to think of pleasing. I’m not talking about selfishness. I’m talking about being as kind to yourself as you would to a loved one.

I’m talking about staying put for a change and giving up the idea that if you don’t do something great, then it won’t get done at all. That’s ego talking. That’s ego pushing us, not the voice of Spirit. The voice of Spirit is patient, kind and makes no demands upon us to be doing all the time. Contentment is not dependent on CONTENT. It is dependent on quality … giving ourselves over to that which is fun and joyful, giving ourselves over to moments of pure peace and relaxation. 

Just as quantity does not equal quality, busyness does not equal goodness. Jesus advised Martha to sit awhile by his side, and simply listen and stop doing. We don’t have to be the “be all and the end all” for the whole world. That’s not our purpose. Our purpose is, of course, to love and be gentle with others, but we cannot do so if we do not love and be gentle with ourselves. Easy does it.

I am my best self when I stop pushing myself to write, to draw, to create, to get that extra hour of walking in just because some part of me drives myself. Driving myself isn’t my purpose. Driving myself is not loving myself. I need to allow myself to find my own creative pace just as I need to find my own creative voice … that’s my reason for being alive. I am my best self when I am not trying so hard to be. Perhaps that is true for you as well.