Just Be You
One of the amazing things about life is that every day we get a fresh start. Every day we get the opportunity to learn a new lesson, grow a little more, deepen our connection to life, to each other and to our own spirit. Sometimes, the desire to expand can cause us to forget that which we already are. While it is important to continue evolving, learning and growing, being too focused on this can get in the way of our ability to be present and enjoy what we have.
I was playing a new song yesterday in preparation for a show when I had an epiphany of sorts. I was trying very hard to pull off a more involved guitar part and it felt like I was wrestling with the song a little. Then it occurred to me that perhaps for this show I could just do what comes naturally and play a simpler part that was more within my current level of ability. In other words, maybe I could just be ME and accept myself exactly as I am. My ego resisted at first but as I thought about it more and envisioned myself playing the song with ease, I felt a huge shift and an immediate sense of relief. I knew what I had to do.
It’s a simple shift in perspective but it’s extremely liberating. How nice would it be for me to play my show and feel as though I am enough, or better yet, I am GREAT just the way I am? How amazing would it be to approach your relationships, your work, your creative endeavors from this space?
We all have aspects of ourselves that we wish to improve upon and we all have room to grow in our personal and professional lives. This will never change. And yes it’s a good thing to aspire to greatness, to step out of our comfort zones and to challenge ourselves to reach new heights on an ongoing basis. This will never stop. These processes are constantly unfolding as we go through life but perhaps the best way to allow them is to fully embrace who we are and where we are in this moment, to accept and love ourselves as we are and let go of the rest.
By fully accepting who you are in this moment, you create the space and freedom for yourself to JUST BE YOU. Consider that wherever you are on your journey is exactly where you are supposed to be. So rather than wish you were somewhere or someone else, embrace where you are and who you are and be as YOU as you can be.
Written for The Daily Love (Sept. 10th, 2011)