Today we ask that you be at peace with who you are right now in this moment.
Be at peace with who you are right now.
Many people are very obsessed with the idea of “self-improvement.” They read books and attend classes, all with the aim of “self-improvement.”
And there is nothing wrong with this.
Growth and learning are natural processes. Every baby born arrives with a powerful instinct to “self-improve.”
So it is good and fine to want to learn and grow.
The problem arises with not being at peace with who you are right now in this moment.
A baby is at peace with who he is right now in this moment, even as the whole thrust of his energy is directed toward rapid learning and growth.
But adults obsessed with self-improvement tend not to be at peace with who they are.
Instead, they wish they were the “improved” versions of themselves right now.
They imagine that if they just “improved” enough, they would arrive at a place of great success and recognition. And all their life problems would be solved.
More spiritually minded people may believe that if they simply “improved” enough, they would reach a state of enlightenment. And all their life problems would be solved.
Watch out for this kind of thinking.
It is good to embrace opportunities to learn and grow and experience reality in new ways. That is in alignment with the flow of life.
But if you believe that there is an end point to this process, you will be frustrated.
If any part of you yearns to arrive at a place where you are so “improved” that you will face no further challenges, you will be frustrated.
If you are angry at yourself because you did not “improve” sufficiently in the past — watch out for this kind of thinking.
People in your culture are very obsessed with icons of “success”: billionaires, athletic champions, celebrities, and so on. Famous people are held in the highest esteem. Everyone should aspire to be a rich, celebrated, successful “winner.”
Much “self-improvement” is therefore directed toward this very narrow goal.
But really this is not useful. In fact, such thinking can be terribly destructive.
It is fine in life to want things, have goals, and work toward them, while learning and growing in the process.
But if you believe that true success in life means being a billionaire, a sports champion, a famous celebrity, a Nobel Prize winner, or even a well-known “enlightened guru”… then in all likelihood you will remain a miserable person, no matter how much you try to “improve.”
Learn and grow in ways that bring you peace of mind.
Learn and grow to love yourself in the present moment.
The world truly doesn’t need another famous person.
Be at home in yourself. Be at ease with who you are right now.
A peaceful person brings peace to the world.
By all means, improve yourself. But be clear about your motives. Watch your thoughts. Notice if “self-improvement” brings you joy, or misery.
Just pay attention.
Learn and grow from a place of self-love.
wordfromthewell 