By Their Fruits

Although I truly believe in good intentions, because I know first-hand the many deeply-held but unrealized good intentions of my own heart and vision, I also understand why the wisdom and “truth” of the axiom “It’s not what we say, it’s what we do” is so universally recognized and accepted. Our actions really do speak louder than our words. The proof is indeed in the pudding, not in the possibilities that exist when we talk about what the pudding might taste like … if we make it.

Likewise, we really do show one another how we truly feel about each other by the way that we actually treat one another. Not by what we say to each other. Or by what we say about how we feel about others. But by what we in fact do.

Others may not always tell us how they feel about us, but they will always show us. We just need to pay attention.

The Climb

“The Good Lord gave us mountains so we can learn how to climb.”

I reached the top of a mountain Sunday night that I have been climbing, well, for all intents and purposes, my whole life. It isn’t the only mountain I have been scaling for a long time, nor the last that I will attempt to ascend to the top. But it was, it is, a big one for me that has required a lot of time, learning, effort, sacrifice, and perseverance.

And I could not have climbed it alone.

It’s Okay to Be You

#BornForThis  #WeWereMeantToBeCourageous  #LiveLikeThat  #ItsAnInsideJob  #JustBe  #ItsInEveryOneOfUs

For many of us, it is really easy for us to get caught up on, or, more accurately, hung up on, what we think that “others” think about us. What we believe to be “others'” understanding or approval of our lives. How “they” judge our way of living. Of being and doing. Of showing up in the world.

And that is a truly unneeded, imperfect, and highly unproductive exercise. It can also be exhausting. And unnecessarily demoralizing.

For what another actually thinks, or doesn’t think, about our way of living, thinking, feeling, being, expressing ourselves, and doing life does not make any of the former or ourselves any more or less viable or valuable. Or necessarily any better or worse than anyone else or another’s way. Or lessen our individual worth in any way. It does not change who we are. Or impact our value. Another’s opinion does not – cannot – make us any more or any less of who we are or make us or our lives any more or any less important, relevant, and valuable.

And it is okay to be us. To be ourselves. To be comfortable in our own skin and with our own, unique ways.

Authenticity, happiness, and meaning are not gained or acquired based on public opinion. Or the opinion of selected “others.” Or our opinion of the opinion of the former.

Authenticity, happiness, and meaning are found and understood within ourselves and are created and experienced as we live our lives answering our own calls. Feeling and following our own passions and paths. Moving steadfastly in the direction of our dreams and our Divinely-appointed destinies.

It is okay to be you. To live a life that others do not understand. They will get over it and so should you.

Believe Bravely; Dare Greatly,

Jay