Greg Rolfe

3 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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To Just Be

To Just Be

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Through out our lives there is a drive to become more, to seek the approval of others, to “get noticed”. But isn't it enough to just be? Are we not enough just being ourselves? Must we also have the acclaim of others?

Now please do not miss-understand I know that we like to be recognized and accepted. We all enjoy a little ego stroking but is that truly the goal? Is recognition the agenda? I must admit that there are some times that it appears to be the only agenda I see and I have fallen ill of that plague myself, but does it truly bring happiness or simply the need to gather more acclaim?

Peace, contentedness, and joy are not connected with a need for more but are joined with the recognition of an idea that I am enough. If I must have the approval of others then my life is centered around obtaining it. I will drive myself to please them regardless of my personal opinions. This is a dangerous road.

I have asked more that a few times in posts like this one, one simple question; “why do you choose the choices you do?” The answers come back mixed but “influenced by others” is always very high on the list. Advice, direction and wisdom from others is very advisable but the decision will always be based on your personal goal. That goal is vital. Is it to receive fame? Is it to create something new? Is it to please someone? None of these are wrong. It is just that some goals will never bring peace.

Who is the real you? Are you content in your own skin? Are you willing to just be? Pick your goals carefully many of the proffered goals are truly not worth the effort or the time it takes to achieve them. You are far more valuable than you might believe, choose goals worthy of who you are. When doing so I find it much easier to sleep at night.

Blessings!


Comments

Greg Rolfe

3 years ago #6

#4
Hi Don I am not fully understanding your comment but I expect you are against herd mentality. I agree. If our entire lives are spent trying to please or obtain the approval of others what was the point. Yes part of our lives must conform to the social norms. We drive on the correct side of the road and stand in the proper line when waiting our turn at the bank. But thinking for ourselves must also be a part of our normal. As it is often said, "I kneel to no one but God". But I yield my rights to abide in society. There must be thought not just approval seeking behavior. Was I any where close yo your idea?

John Rylance

3 years ago #5

#4
I meant to add that if I'm following anything it's what is expressed in this sentence in my original comment. It's being what you want to be, not what others think you should be.

John Rylance

3 years ago #4

#4
Herd instinct is what Lemmings have and as you know following them leads to death. I have survived so far by not joining the herd, like a good little boy and therefore not needing a mask. Maybe when I come out of self-isolation I will wear one. Thank you for the advice, patronising or not it is good advice, but not for me.

John Rylance

3 years ago #3

#1
#2 I agree with both your comments. Just be, like leave me alone, and let me be can be either be let me stagnate, or leave me to progress in my own way. It might or might not be what your suggestions. It's you being what you want to be, not what others think you should be.

Greg Rolfe

3 years ago #2

#1
Hello Ken, I agree with the continue to grow idea in fact I seriously agree with the idea. Bu if the agenda is to move us forward not to seek the approval of others it still falls into the "just be" idea. We are who we are and to improve that is great. So even say to quit learning is to start dying. I understand your point though and expect you are valid in your perception. Thank you for your insight!

Ken Boddie

3 years ago #1

Perhaps, Greg, our choices of goals reflect our level of, or lack of, maturity. If we are constantly striving to meet the requirements of and expectations of others, then we will never “just be”. We have to either create or negotiate our own agenda, in order to happily live in the present, while learning from the past and allowing for the interruptions of the future. I submit, however, that we can never entirely “just be”, as I believe we should navigate our course through life so that we are constantly learning new skills and hence better appreciating the world around us.

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