“What do you wanna be when you grow up?” This innocent question has made us view the future as a some ‘place’ to get to; it’s taken us out of the present moment. It’s warped our minds into thinking we must continuously strive to become something, something different or better than what we already are.. which sadly therefore means that we’ve never been able to accept ourselves for just being us – without the labels, the qualifications, the career, the car, the money, the status. It’s just been a constant chasing of our own tail.
And even when we do eventually get the thing, are we ever truly satisfied? The novelty wears off quickly, and then we’re onto the next thing.. whatever it is that will make us feel like we are doing or being enough.
My own journey had brought on so much self-inquiry that I found myself in a bottomless pit of constantly seeking, grasping at anything for meaning. I ended up in turmoil, because I so desperately wanted to make something of myself. But it’s never been enough. No matter what I did or achieved, I didn’t feel fully satisfied.
It’s taken me a while, 33.5 years to be precise, but finally I’ve realised, I’ve been perfect the whole time. I don’t need the extra courses to prove myself. Or a large following. Or to memorise every yoga pose in Sanskrit. I don’t need the approval from anyone else. Because I validate myself. All that chasing.. and there I was, the whole time. And the same is true for all of us.
If certain teachings speak to me then I will follow them, but I will no longer seek outside of myself for something to prove my worth.
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