when you have not been loved
your highest purpose
has little to do with service
your greatest gift to us
will be your laughter
finally full of delight.
-*-
Hello everyone!
This poem was written as a message to myself. In the past, I have often gotten caught up in doing good deeds to encourage a sense of worth or accomplishment. I thought this would fill me up. But in the last couple of years, I've slowly been learning that sometimes we want to think of ourselves as good people as a balm for the ego rather than for the sake of doing things that we think are good.
Instead of doing things that I think are good to do, I've been learning that I should do the things I want to do and the things that take good care of me. That makes my spirit feel centered and calm. When I feel centered and calm, I naturally do good things for others anyways. In fact, I think when I am in a centered and calm place, my understanding of what good things are is more nuanced and thoughtful. When I am always putting my effort outside myself to other things, I become small and stressed.
As I grow, I know that I will keep wanting to make beautiful things and that from a full and happy heart I'll want to share those things with others. No one is required to do good things, but I think many people would choose to regardless. And we can be more effective and grounded in that if we take good care of ourselves.
I hope you are having a lovely Friday!
xo
Ciel