Quote of the Week

"The man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away." Charles Schwab

When I first read this, I was just stunned at the simplicity, yet power of this statement. Too often, we spend our time trying to present ourselves in a way that pleases the people around us, instead of working to feel good about who we really are or want to be. We all do it on some level, it’s hard not to, since society often tells us it’s the “right” thing to do. Often it would seem society tells us that being ourselves isn’t good enough. Commercials boast of age defying makeups, quick weight loss scams… um I mean techniques or diets, tanning facilities and endless photos of perfectly airbrushed people. How is any of this conducive to self acceptance?

But, we don’t only try to appease our pears with our physical appearance; we also try to do it with our actions and personalities. Wouldn’t it serve us better to care more about how our behavior affects the quality of our own lives, than those around us? I think it’s a shame that trying to please ourselves is often perceived as “selfish” and heaven forbid someone have enough self-esteem to actually positively acknowledge they are good at something. Then we are just considered to be full of ourselves, self-important or conceited. Why are we supposed to be these humble people who go around down playing our accomplishments and talents so that others don’t feel bad about what they don’t have? I mean really?

When it comes down to it, we can only view our lives through our own point of view. So why not feel the best about yourself that you positively can. Letting others, in their own way, control how we act and behave isn’t serving us or anyone else. When we live up to our full potential and are in alignment with our true selves (inner being, soul, source, take your pick) then we are at our best and have the best potential to help not only ourselves but others as well. Our inner being only sees us a pure, radiant love energy and that’s how we should all work to see ourselves as well.