Pause for a moment and consider that there never has been nor will there ever be anyone else exactly like you, you will know why being yourself is more important than anything else; and you will be able to sidestep the very commonly prevalent fear or pressure that traps us into blind conformity.
Being inspired by someone and learning from their example is wonderful; but if we were supposed to be exactly like that someone, we would have been created with all of her personal qualities, also circumstances, potential, limitations too. Instead, each of us is born into a specific time and place, with a unique combination of a certain set of talents, and the potential to add or enhance all that, in order to fulfil our individual mission in life.
We have all been taught to measure ourselves against the example of other, greater, more successful beings. We are inspired by them and want to follow their example...but we can become so obsessed with the need to live like someone else, look, teach, grow successful and become rich like someone else, that before we know it, we cease to be ourselves.
"Inside each and every one of us is our one true authentic swing. Something we were born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned. Something that's got to be remembered."
Once, the great teacher Zusia came to his followers, his eyes were red with tears, and his face was pale with fear.
"Zusia, what's the matter? You look frightened!"
"The other day, i had a vision. In it, i learned of the question that the angels will ask me when i stand at the Gates of Heaven."
The followers were puzzled. "Zusia, you are pious. You are scholarly and humble. You have helped so many of us. What question about your life could be so terrifying that you would be frightened to answer it?"
Or, as Oscar Wilde quipped: Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Being inspired by someone and learning from their example is wonderful; but if we were supposed to be exactly like that someone, we would have been created with all of her personal qualities, also circumstances, potential, limitations too. Instead, each of us is born into a specific time and place, with a unique combination of a certain set of talents, and the potential to add or enhance all that, in order to fulfil our individual mission in life.
We have all been taught to measure ourselves against the example of other, greater, more successful beings. We are inspired by them and want to follow their example...but we can become so obsessed with the need to live like someone else, look, teach, grow successful and become rich like someone else, that before we know it, we cease to be ourselves.
"Inside each and every one of us is our one true authentic swing. Something we were born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned. Something that's got to be remembered."
Once, the great teacher Zusia came to his followers, his eyes were red with tears, and his face was pale with fear.
"Zusia, what's the matter? You look frightened!"
"The other day, i had a vision. In it, i learned of the question that the angels will ask me when i stand at the Gates of Heaven."
The followers were puzzled. "Zusia, you are pious. You are scholarly and humble. You have helped so many of us. What question about your life could be so terrifying that you would be frightened to answer it?"
Or, as Oscar Wilde quipped: Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You
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