“Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.” ~
I will begin immediately with a disclaimer. I will have to say that whatever I write, I am probably one who needs to hear it most. I’m not blaming you. I’m merely citing fact as I see it. There. Now that’s said, let’s begin: Too often, people allow others to determine who they are or will be. Camus so hits the nail on the head with today’s quote. We often refuse to be who we are because we are too busy being led — or, should I say, misled — by the world around us.
Let’s begin with the physical, since that appears to be where it begins for most people. We believe or are told that we are too fat, too thin, too tall, too short, too boisterous, too shy, too, too, too. Because we hear these things, or think these things, over and over again, we try to change to better fit the “perfect image” that hovers over us.
Try as we might, most of us will never be able to achieve that because, quite simply, that is not who we are. When we believe that we cannot achieve that dream or goal of perfection, we become agitated or depressed. We often try harder, thus ensuring failure.
Why can we not accept and be happy with who we are? Why can we not see that what we are is God’s gift to us? I think it’s because we’re too busy looking to external factors to validate ourselves. Those externals, however, absolutely do not matter. We matter, not the impression/expectation that others have of us.
The only one we should look to for guidance, suggestion, or correction is the Lord. Since He is the one who created us, He is the one who will help us to achieve what He hopes for us. The sooner that we can trust God, the sooner we will be happy with and accepting of ourselves. Be at peace with yourself. Don’t let others tell you who you should be.
FAITH ACTION: So that you are not led astray by the world, ask God for the grace to accept yourself for who you are.