Being Human
Have you ever wondered why you're really here ?
Do you know what your true purpose in life is ?
Do you have a clear sense of your calling ?
Is it really to gather possessions ?
Is it to be rich and famous ?
Is it to reproduce and make a better life for your children ?
Is it to leave your mark on society ?
Is to be married, popular, and successful ?
Maybe it's just me or maybe it's some mid-life crisis virus that's going around, but
I find these questions to be echoing erratically through my head.
The whole internal debate of whether I'm really fulfilling my true mission, following the right life path, or being a truly successful person has usually ended with the results of driving me crazy. (I've often joked that usually can be accomplished without even leaving the parking lot.)
Since I frequently coach others not to spend too much time alone inside their own heads (because at times it can get pretty scary and dark in there), I decided to take my own advice (not a common occurrence) and reach out to a good friend about this.
In a wonderful conversation with this strong spirited friend of mine, Mark (who is also an incredible electrical wizard if you ever need help rewiring your life), we explored our common challenge and concern of wondering about the progress of our lives. Then it came to me. What if our true purpose in life is primarily to be "a simple loving human being" ? We wondered at first whether the answer could be so simple and basic. We quickly realized that truly be "a simple loving human being" in our hectic, fast paced, driven society was no small feat. Each day we all experience the intense atmosphere of impatience, egotistic competitiveness, and just simply inane static that we as silly human animals can so successfully create.
My conversation with Mark inspired me to explore more deeply the job description of "a simple loving human being". The following is a self examination of my job performance which I offer to you for whatever it's worth.
Can you smile at others just for the pure pleasure of feeling your face smile ?
When you ask someone "how are you", do you listen with true interest ?
Do you perform your work, whether it's brain surgery, serving food, teaching or punching computer keys with an artistic pride and a sincere sense of service to your customers, clients or students ?
When someone in your presence is acting the role of an "insensitive jerk" do you observe with empathy how unhappy they must be or do you follow their lead and make your own bid for best supporting actor in the role as an insensitive jerk ?
Do others usually feel just a little better off after being in your presence ?
Can you practice understanding before being understood ?
Can you recognize that most people don't easily change by being proven wrong and helped to look like an idiot ?
Do you realize that gratitude, a kind word, forgiveness/acceptance, and love cost you nothing and given freely are an immediate investment in a better world ?
Do your actions empower others or weaken them ?
Do you play well with others ?
Can you enjoy the success and prosperity with pleasure rather than envy ?
Do you exhibit confident emotional generosity in allowing others to go ahead of you in traffic, be angry with you without feeling blamed, or remain truly present with someone when you can't think of anything wise or helpful to say ?
Do value the quality of a relationship more than being right ?
Can you courageously allow others to learn from your embarrassing foolish mistakes so they don't have repeat them on their own ?
These thoughts are just reflections of some my values. I view them as simple guides and goals in the process being human. I don't boast of being any more enlightened, perfect or successful than anyone else in their practice. I just offer them as a spiritual commitment to performing the job as "a simple loving human being".
This spirit is well represented in the words of a song performed by Geoff Morgan "And the only measure of your words and your deeds are the love you leave behind when you're gone". Enjoy Being !