Who We Are

I have documented my interest with the countless pieces of random items I find on my morning walks around the neighborhood. It is always fascinating to me what ends up at the curb, but it is equally interesting how the items are staged. I have seen chairs placed on exact, even lines in relation to one another. Books neatly stacked. Boots polished and lined up evenly. Lamps standing up straight and bikes parked as if the rider just stepped inside for a moment.

This cabinet was placed just so, at a parallel with the sidewalk behind and the street in front. It was clean, well cared for and sturdy. In fact, it looked as if any moment might bring someone with an armful of books, a few pieces of glassware and perhaps a picture from a recent trip - all ready to be placed into the shelves to tell a little of the story of the owner.

It is interesting, the things that reveal who we are to others. A glance at our bookshelves betrays our interests. The photographs that are found in our personal space give insight into our family and friends. The stories we tell. The way we listen to the stories of others. Our work ethic. Our attitude. Our appreciation and gratitude for life. These and many other things, both big and small, are constantly revealing our story to those around us. We are, whether we are aware of it or not, always on display.

It seems obvious that the one person we can fully be is ourselves; yet we often spend an inordinate amount of energy trying to be someone else. Carl Jung writes, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” Who we truly are lives beneath our pretense. Who we truly are lives behind our busyness and flows deeper than our need to meet other’s expectations. It is the work of a lifetime, but it is meaningful work.

In my religious tradition we speak of our true self in heart language. As we think in our heart, we are. Out of the heart flows the fruit of our lives. The disciplined life seeks to line up with our heart all we say and do. This is the goal of our journey: to discover who we are in God’s love and to live fully as the best version of our true self. That way, even when we are not aware that our life is on display, what people see is the person we really are.

Peace.