In last week’s inaugural post we examined several types of Love and hinted at a key commitment that is needed to make all that love possible. Loving and accepting our own self is crucial to fully experiencing love with another.
For many years I really did not get this concept and frankly did not embrace it. I suppressed many of my quirky interests in order to make myself more loveable to others. Suffice it to say, that I’ve lived long enough to realize that hiding key parts of myself limits my own joy. Today, I know that full expression helps to attract people that will be most nurturing to me and those who will benefit most from my unique personality. Remember the anonymous quote, “…those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter…?” Well, it rings true when we are working to be authentic and to surround ourselves with people who can walk with us through our life’s journey.
Learning to embrace your uniqueness and your membership in community at the same time can be quite a daunting task. Some of us wonder why we were ‘born this way’ or why we are drawn to particular interests. What I’ve learned in my journey is that my unique attributes are the perfect opportunity for me to commune with God. There are some roads that we must travel alone. However these experiences can be our most intimate moments with God; sometimes expressed simply as a strong knowing that we are not alone. This communion helps us to successfully navigate the best way to fully express our gratitude or deepest sadness. Time alone prepares us to reconnect to ourselves; to know who we are and what we need to be filled up with purpose and joy.
Celebrating community is also necessary for the nurturing of our individual self. It is in these opportunities that we understand our fit in the creation story. I’m a big “hero’s journey” fan. I believe there is a ‘you-sized’ mission that is required in creation and if you are unwilling to fulfill it, this mission goes unfulfilled. One of my favorite cousins shared a post on Facebook that went something like this, “…God looked around his creation and saw that something was missing…and he created you…” (author unknown). Contributing our gifts within the community is a wonderful way to fulfill our need to feel included in the progress of humanity.
Balancing investments in our individual and community needs is required in order for us to live more vibrantly. Each of us will express ourselves differently and long to be fully accepted by those who are closest to us. As I’ve alluded to in this post, I can be a bit quirky myself; particularly in my music choices. Let me share what I mean.
When I’m wondering who I am to God and his character towards me, I listen to LaShaun’s arrangement of “Faithful God”.
I recently found Omar’s cover of Adele’s “Hello”. It expresses how I feel about the grace I’ve been given to do this thing better every day.
When I feel like I can be the hero in my journey, I listen to Nicki and Rihanna’s “Fly”.
Need I say more? Love yourself just as you are. While you are working towards more self love, offer your unique gifts to the community and you will be on your way to a more fulfilling journey. You go hero!
Until next week,