What About Me?
There is a time and place for everything, this is an old adage; but it is no less true at this moment.
The most sage advice, I can give you, at this moment, is to stay connected to all things, but be attached to nothing. This may have you scratching your head, but be patient…I will never lead you astray.
You love deeply, without question. However you may need to have a heart to heart with yourself…every single day. Every day you should ask yourself, am I doing this for “them” (whoever “them” is) or are you doing it for self. Be careful, because I need you to be brutally honest with yourself.
Sometimes, even when we are doing things for other people…we are really only doing it for ourselves. Let me give you an example, just so you won’t think I have lost it.
You can have someone that you are very close to, and you may give that person something (monetary or not); now when you tell this story to others, you are brought to tears…and you very well maybe shedding tears, on behalf of the situation that your loved one is facing. However, if you did it strictly for them, why would you feel the need to share it with anyone else? In fact, if you do something for another person…once it is done…you should let it go. All too often, when we even hold onto stories where we have helped another person or group of persons, all that we really do is keep a running tab, of who did more for whom. This is a most unkind behavior.
If we are truly doing things for the sake of another’s well being; there should be no reason why we would need to keep track.
Be connected to all…persons, places and things…yet attached to nothing. You are not your actions. In all that you do, you must be able to picture your Creator…standing beside you. Think for a moment, in the time when the world was being created…was there room for ego? The ego can be a powerful tool, and there are times when it can be used to help others; but understand that when our ego is being used to make us feel bigger and better than anyone else…it is working against creation.
Look at all situations from above, do not allow your own personal feelings or ideas about how the outcome will affect you, alter the way you conduct yourself. Think about all situations, as if you have nothing to lose or gain. It is sad that this even needs to be said, but unfortunately, the very first person, that typically comes to mind, in any given circumstance…is self.
You must learn how to put other people ahead of you, in this regard. You must want more for others than you want for yourself. You know what you would like to have for yourself…want more for everyone else. If you want $100 then you MUST want $500 for them. This is truly caring for another person.
We must step aside from the “let me break you off a little something” mentality. Stop breaking off fractions of what it is that you have; if you truly want to give…give it all away. I know this may feel like I am trying to steal your oxygen, but please listen. The greatest Saints in history, never thought of self. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, gave her entire fortune away, and lived alongside the people who were truly struggling. She did not do this to get world fame, but to learn humility. She gave her entire fortune to the needy and less fortunate; yet she never appeared to look like she was doing without. In fact, when asked why she smiles everyday…she said because I find Jesus everywhere. What she learned, that most of us struggle with is the fact that you can find your Creators fingerprints on each and every thing…how can that be anything less than perfection?
This part may hurt a little, because now I have to tell you…you are not the most important person in the world. We have been taught so many lies…that we now believe they are the truth. As women, we have been led astray, by other women. That, holier than thou mentality must end…let it end with you. You are a bright and beautiful being…you are definitely that, but if you wear that idea like a tiara…it can become a crown of thorns.
When does beauty fail to be beautiful? When it is used to degrade another living thing. For instance, oh I love her hair; I mean it isn’t as bouncy as mine is, but it still looks good.
Do you see what just happened? You took something that was never about you at all…and you made it all about you. How can a person feel good about themselves, after hearing a statement like that?
This life is not a matrix, nothing is that complicated; but you do have to lay down the idea that you come first. Living life out oud does not mean to be the most boisterous. It means to walk amongst all of creation, knowing that we all have a divine purpose and your purpose may very well be…to just be kind. That doesn’t mean to be kind when you are having a good day or when you get that raise at work. It means above all else, put others first. This also doesn’t mean to play the “Have a blessed day” card.
Do not misinterpret what I am saying to you. We should hope that every one has a blessed day, in fact if they are breathing…in fact- they are being blessed. You know exactly what I am referring to. The tone in which you are speaking, the one that says “You don’t matter to me and my world”…that “Have a blessed day” card. Understand that your job here, is to love everyone. It seems so simple, doesn’t it? Who couldn’t love everyone?
Well, that means that you have to find the most trying of people…loveable.
You have to be able to look at the homeless man urinating on the street, just as loveable as the newborn baby. It means that you have to love, even the man that walked into your place of business- with the intention of robbing you. You have to find a way to find yourself in each and every one. You may think that the woman showing her ass on facebook is nothing like you…after all, you would never post half naked pictures. What if I told you that like you…she lives with grief that time is still trying to heal? What if the attention she is seeking is just so she won’t have to think about the memories she can no longer make with that person…can you really see who she is now?
Life is full of opportunities, don’t miss them, just because they come wrapped in a ribbon that makes you feel negative. This is a lesson that will be hard for most people to learn, after all we do have our preferences. However, life isn’t about you. You did not create it…it created you. You must humble yourself and know that all that you should have…you will have.
Stop walking past the very gifts that this world has to give you; simply because you are looking for something that you find more attractive or suitable.
I will leave you with one final thought today, you do not need to clear your head…you instead…must clear your heart
Nine Tribe 