At war

I feel like I constantly battle with myself.

Do you ever feel that way?

Like one minute you are ragging on yourself and the next minute you are defending yourself.

It can often feel as if part of you is always striving to live up to something.   Like you have to become a certain person, fill the mold, fulfill those expectations that were placed on you.  They could have been placed there by society (very likely :), by your teachers, by your parents, by your religion, or by a combination of all the above.  Perhaps you are trying to live up to somebody’s dream for you.  Perhaps you are trying to fulfill the role that society has determined is the best fit for you. 

Maybe in this moment you feel secure, sure, self-confident.  But you know that at any given moment in the near future, depending on unexpected circumstances, that could change.  It could change in a heartbeat and you could feel unsure, alone, lost, even fearful.   

The majority of the time, I feel peace, confidence, and excitement for the future.  In both this life and the next.

But sometimes I have those moments, where I feel like just a pawn in a massive chess tournament that will never truly be completed.  Those moments in our lives are necessary.  They bring us back to reality.  Remind us to never lose focus, to live with a sense of purpose and destiny. 

So if you have a small battle with yourself today, just remember to be you.  Do not attempt to fulfill the dreams of other, find your own and chase them all of your might.  Do not take upon yourself rules and obligations placed on you by a religion of men, find out what He requires of you and never stop walking in it. 

Be you.

Be present.

Find people you have things in common with.

Give generously, of your time, your love, and your genuine smile.

Loosen up for crying out loud.

Stop and listen to the people around you (without the clock ticking), look into their eyes. 

Travel, meet new people.

Laugh. 

Think about what REALLY matters to you.

Stop whatever you are doing that your world has told you is so important.

And figure out how to do that THING that matters most.

Your life will never be the same. 

We have more opportunity than anyone else in this entire world, don’t choose to ignore it.