Second Chance to Live

Sharing Hope in the face of Adversity

Archive for February 18th, 2007

Why can’t you be more like…

Posted by Second Chance to Live on February 18, 2007

Society throws that the notion at us all the time. Advertising, commercials, magazines, movies and so on. Geesh. And the sad reality is that these messages can be very subtle and alluring. I believe what makes this message insidious is that someone, somewhere wants to make you and I into a clone — somebody other than who we were created to be in this life.

A clone by definition is a exact replica of another figure or state. The motive of such conditioning becomes obvious with time. Those who seek to make us into a clone want to use and exploit us — for their purposes.

By nature, such conditioning discourages and shuns unique expression while being a clone is held in high-esteem. Consequently, the status quo becomes the norm and mediocrity attacks excellence. Go along to get along is heralded as the banner of life, while the human spirit slowly dies. Living through doing — rather than being — becomes the rat race to bolsters who we are in the eyes of our peers.

What other people think and believe — in the process — become more important than what we think and believe. Acquisition of “toys” become the measure of status and success. Clamoring to prove our worth substitutes who we are in an attempt to justify our worth and being. In the process, self-expression and creativity are dashed on the rocks of conformity and compliance.

I have come to see the above conditioning and subtle persuasion as an enemy to the life that God breathed into — my life. With my awareness , I made several decisions.

I decided to separate myself from the notion of, “Why can’t you be more like…” I made the decision to start celebrating who I was created to become in this life. I made the decision to start pursuing excellence, rather than perfection. Consequently, being became more important than doing. In the process, I broke free from the notion that my security could be found in the pursuit of  conformity and compliance. With my choice, I decided to start thinking outside of the box.

Consequently, I stopped listening to the notion that I was to be more like anyone. In the process I have discovered what it meant to be perfectly me.

Perfectly Me

As I reflected upon my own uniqueness, I was reminded that each person contains his or her own inherent brilliance. Like the snowflakes that fall from the sky, none are alike. Each crystalline shape is set with intricate wonder. Although their beauty lasts for a brief moment in time, a lesson can be learned.

Each person is created with specific greatness, waiting to be revealed in time. Through accepting this reality, I find delight. I accept the wonder that defines my being. I am a thriving prodigy. As I breathe, my precise essence is revealed. Anticipation calls to me. I behold the distinction that is taking shape and I revel.

My pursuit of excellence motivates me to work in tandem with the God of my understanding. Together we see a metamorphosis, resplendent with dignity and poise. Through staying the course, I perceive that change is not of me, but through me. I am a work in process, but in this very moment, I am perfectly me. I am perfectly free.

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