Daily, hourly, constantly, first and last thought, . . .

Here is one of the question of life:

“Am I acceptable?”

If our answer, to ourselves, is “no” then we are “rejected”.

From the moment we become self-aware we start this hamster-wheel ride of endless questioning that gets us nowhere but worn out.  ( I think it’s safe to say we all do it – some more than others.)

As a child, I remember being held and carried to bed and being gently tucked in and the feelings of being loved, accepted.  I also remember being naughty and having to face the consequences and the feelings of rejection that followed.   (I also remember wearing a giant rhubarb leaf on my head and calling it a princess crown – very “acceptable”).  We, most of us, have siblings and fit in our little “slot” in the family.  I was the third child and the third girl and I can imagine I was a bit of a disappointment from the start, yet I knew my parents loved me.

In the middle of our childhood  we are introduced to school.  The fight for our “place” in this world begins.  Grade school, junior and senior high, college then out into the work force – the hamster wheel starts smoking!

GETTING TO MY POINT!

I suggest that instead of questioning our “Accepted Level” we should turn it around and ask ourselves, “Am I ACCEPTING?” Do I size someone up immediately upon meeting them, like a junior higher, or do I have an open heart that expects good out of everyone.  Is it more important for me to be accepting of others or accepted myself?

Upon further reflection I ask myself, “Am I here to serve or be served?”  Is it better to be selfless than selfish?  No brainer!!  But do my actions portray that.  Selflessness is a true art form.  It’s beauty is breathtaking.

Heroes are selfless.  In the movies they put others’ safety before their own lives.  They are willing to lay down their wants and needs, even unto death, for the greater good.  In real life we have the examples of Mother Theresa, the countless number of soldiers who died in battle for our country, and stories of great people, some who we might even know personally, that performed some heroic deed that is etched in the timeline of our history and/or our country or even the world!  We are, hopefully, blessed with family and friends who show their love by their kind deeds.  We all have heroes in our lives.

BUTTTTT!   Am I  a hero to others?  Do I try to be selfless?  Am I willing to give, to do more then I think is my “fair share” or even within my capability?  I want to be careful to remember it is not about finding acceptance through “good works” or rejection when I fall short of MY expectations.  It is about my attitude!  The best news is that I can know, always and forever, there is someone who loves me NO MATTER WHAT!  I don’t have to strive to serve just to make myself look good.  Even when I am at my most selfish worst I am still loved and cherished!  It is out of the knowledge of God’s unending love that I can then try to put others ahead of myself – the reward is the peace that comes from a job well done!  There is still peace when I fall short knowing that we start with a “clean slate” everyday, hour, minute, second …!

Nothing can separate us from the love of our father and great is the joy when a child hears their father say, “Well done, my child!”

– “To love another person is to see the face of God!”   Victor Hugo’s Le Miserables-

Kimmy