The deepest misery we inflict on ourselves is self-rejection. We are the only animal on this planet that believes we are not good enough. The rhino does not look at her horn or her folds of protective skin and think, Ugh. She is a perfect rhino, just as she is. Humans, on the other hand, will find a way to compare and judge literally any aspect of ourselves—from what’s in our bank account to the shape of our nose.”
― from “Shamanic Power Animals: Embracing the Teachings of Our Non-Human Friends (Shamanic Wisdom Series)”
I think I am no different from most of humanity, believing at times that I am not good enough. My hair isn’t soft enough, my mind isn’t smart enough. I think this is something we all struggle with, am I right?
But I am learning, not only to accept myself, but to accept others that may not believe the way I do. Or, maybe they just don’t have an appealing energy for me. If I choose not to judge there is always something to learn from another’s was of thinking or believing.
I have learned to quietly walk away from someone who’s sole mission in life is to complain. I do not choose surrender or resign myself in abdication, but as an act of protection for my own best interest. Why would I ever want to talk someone out of that piece of cake? Why would my preferences be something a stranger, family member, or friend takes as better than their own?
There are several names of the “spirit” of life that allows animals to live in the present moment, moment to moment. Even as we humans struggle to live in the here and now, aren’t we all constantly battling a mind that wants to relive the past, or worry about the future? Why is it so difficult to just live in the present and accept ourselves with faults and limitations, with gratitude?
The rhino loves its horn, and the deep rutted folds of its tough outer layer simply because it knows it is a rhino. It does not look at the giraffe and wish it’s neck was long and slender. It does not look at the monkey and wish for a tail. So why do we compare ourselves to others. Why do we look, in disdain, at those features that make us special?
Every single drop of water, in all of our cells is connected to the Divine. God is in all the details and we need to know that we are made perfect in His image. His DNA abides in us. Sure, we can choose to ignore the divinity placed inside each of us, but why would we?
Bringinthesheaves 