LOWER THE PERSONA

I seem to live in a world that is filled with people who possess false, well crafted behavior and attempt at appearing full with life, hope, and energy. But is seems much of this is a façade and not what many of these people are really feeling at all. It appears they are deeply yearning for more in their core, but something is stopping this from happening. There is a block in front of them, seemingly surrounding them, that prevents them from being truly loving, truly kind, truly giving, truly forgiving, truly selfless, truly accepting of others. I know this because I suffer from this very systemic virus myself- this public persona.

Why? If we are even in small part honestly pursuing a life like the figure Jesus from Gospel accounts cant we lower, slightly, the façade and allow the power of the life and lessons of Jesus envelope us to a point of true life, hope, and energy? Should we not just do this with people we like or want to be around but with those who are not accepted, not welcomed into community, and often ignored? Could we change the world by accepting those we see in this world crying out for love and friendship? Can we stop doing the easy things in life and start doing that which seems so damn difficult!?! Can we move more toward downward mobility – including reaching out to those who seem they need a true friend – and stop trying to be so cool or suave, and accomplish a small part of the change this world needs to see?

I hope so. I deeply, deeply hope we can stop the bullshit and start honestly treating others the way we desire to be treated.

One of my favorite authors and a respected voice in my life, Dr. M. Scott Peck, wrote very eloquently on the topic of the Evil that surrounds us in this world has spoken yet again with a powerful punch. He argued that isn’t it a wonder, more importantly, that there is any actual good on this earth? We often are so curious why there is Evil present – “Why did this bad thing happen or that bad thing happen? The world is not supposed to be like this.”- but Peck questions why there is any good at all hovering around us. If we look around, it makes perfect sense there is Evil, it appears to be the natural progression of growth here on earth. Yet, good… good is not seemingly natural; it appears outside the norm. It appears to be something added to the life equation.

I remembered something about myself this early morning. Similar to the good I desire to see all around me amongst the Evil… I was made to see, notice, and love those who others don’t believe are worth loving, those who are ignored or fall into the category I’ve heard a number of times said by a certain group, “We don’t have to like everyone.” I learned that if I concentrate on the Evil mentioned above, if I only look at those who continue to hurt me, or those who are doing many of the behaviors and acts I believe to be Evil, I will ultimately implode causing all that I am to fall apart, for there is no fix for the Evil. Evil will continue despite my best intentions or actions. However, acts of love, moving toward the good, they will change the world. I will move toward those I see so deeply seeking a friend, a shoulder, a hug, an acknowledgment of their presence, or an invitation to hang out or go to a movie, or… perhaps just welcomed into something*.

Move towards those who need real love… just like me.

*I know only one other person in my life who shares this very view of concentrating on the good, and loving those who are so often ignored. I believe she will continue to be the wonderful and beautiful change in this world and impact those around her who have been left out.