I had a great talk with a friend the other day about just how hard it can be sometimes to be one's self at work. It happens all over the world every single day to billions of people. I am not alone. We spend energy trying to wedge ourselves into a mold, however ill-fitting it may be, in order to accomplish what we want. Some days that mold is a smidge too small. Like my favorite turquoise velvet Cole Haan slingbacks I wore all day yesterday despite my complaining toes. Or sometimes it's waaaaaay off, like the T-shirts I've gotten at the last 4 charity events I've attended. Which I can assure you went into the bike rag bag.
Little adjustments or small, they take energy. Sometimes that is a good thing and helps us on our true and noble path. Sometimes it detracts from our whole universe. That energy is allocated away from the purpose and drive of our lives. Those are the days when we pack up our "awesome" and leave it in a box by the front door; completely forgetting to take it to work with us.
There were moments at Darden when I felt like the squarest peg in the roundest of round holes. Under a swinging hammer that wouldn't let up for a moment in order to let me scream "I'm a square peg, damnit!" There were also times when I felt completely connected to the dharma flowing through my life; sailing unimpeded toward my destiny. My smile and confidence couldn't have gotten any brighter.
Happens at Frito, too.
My friend sent me this note today and I printed it out and pasted it inside my desk drawer (don't want to be too obvious about my occasional struggles).
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"To be nobody-but-yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else--means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."
EE Cummings
I've been thinking about this quote since our conversation...it is absolutely true...be yourself always <...edited...>
Take care and keep in touch!
2 comments:
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are" - Kurt Cobain
Always a favorite
Mandy, what a lovely post! I could totally relate to it - in fact I've made a poster-like thing out of this post to keep with me.
Hope everything's good with you.
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