The Person Within

Everyone has a list of personality traits that they deem positive; mine include: leadership, chillness (easygoing), funny, confidence. Everyone wants to HAVE these traits; people spend their lives developing these necessary skills in order to be the best ME they can be. People are willing to follow others who possess these traits and mimic their actions because they believe that by hanging out with these quality people, their positive traits can rub off on them. HOWEVER, in actuality, the only way to obtain the qualities that you truly desire is to FACE YOUR OWN INSECURITIES and work towards what you want in spite of the  fear of failing. Courage is what we need most, and it is within us all.

When Newton said that “for every action, there is an opposite reaction” he was talking about physics, which is the science of life. I believe that for every positive quality, there is an equally negative quality. Life, much like our personality, is based on a continuum, we either have more of the positive quality or more of the negative quality. Our goal in life is to put our best foot forward, and show ourselves (and the world) that positivity outweighs negativity. In order to do this, you have to be willing to accept. Accept your deficiencies, be at peace with what you wish was better, then… the healing will begin.

Living in this imperfect world we have damaged ourselves because we constantly allow the negativity of others to cloud our own thoughts. It’s much easier to tear someone down (because we see them to be better than ourselves) than to accept them for their own greatness, and still try to find my own greatness as well. We constantly want to be better than others but these inconclusive/misguided comparisons will only destroy us in the end. Instead, seek to find peace with others, and peace with yourself. Then you can share other’s happiness and bask in your own glories as well.

My brother shared with me this poem, and I want to share it with the world. Enjoy:

Desiderata

Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.