Be You

 Don't strive to be someone else.  It is a waste of energy.   I am most likely to fall into this trap when I read about someone I admire who is doing admirable things, at least as I see it.  I might feel a draw, or even a guilt about doing "more" than what I am doing.  I want to do what they are doing or did.  But is it me?  I live in a monastery.  In terms of fixing the world, helping others to have a better life out there, in terms of justice, freedom and safety, I do nothing.  The world starves, is homeless, unhappy, lonely and so on.  I do nothing.  And so it goes.  But if I do something out of guilt, that will not last long.  If I do something because someone says, "I should," it won't last long.  All that lasts is being ME, the best me I can be.  I do not have to ask what is the purpose of this me.  But I do trust that the best me, the striving to be the best me, will make some contribution to the world and be attractive to someone who is trying to be their best self.  If I cannot love, forgive, care about, accept and be helpful to the person in the next room, what is the point of trying to save the world?  The ego wants to save the world.  The true self loves the neighbor they can see each day.  Happy Birthday to my sister Jane.