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| Me circa 1960 |
Why can't we accept ourselves and each other for who we are right now (far from perfection, yet each with our own individual strengths)? Why can't we each use our inherent and learned strengths to help us grow and support others in their growth? Where did we get the idea that ongoing analysis which results in comparison and criticism (which are as common as oxygen molecules in the air we breathe) will help us and others change for the better? Criticism, even when the word "constructive" is added to it, is still criticism.
None of us is exactly who we were yesterday and tomorrow none of us will be exactly who we are today, yet there are some things about each of us that are who we are since before we were born and will make up the essence of who we are until we die. Why can we not positively accept our own uniqueness as individuals and then rejoice and celebrate our diversity as a society and thus benefit from what each person brings to our own human community?
Before I can choose my life, I have to accept the reality of my life as it is and embrace the truth of who I am. Do I objectively know who I am and what my strengths are? Do I understand what uniqueness I bring to every situation and every relationship and every group? Or will I simply accept the analysis, comparison and criticism of others as that which defines (and often limits) me? It takes work and an internal integrity to be able to see through the surface issues and the often unsolicited and negative views of others to see and accept myself for who I am.
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