from Aesop's Fables
An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail."
The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly.
"Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever.
Life is a constant state of flux. . We adapt and change from the moment we are born. As children, we cannot see our daily microscopic growth. It is usually much more pronounced to someone who hasn't seen us in a few weeks, months, etc... and, as we come to discover later on, those who saw us and judged us from the outside perspective, had no idea who we were going to become later on.
So it is in the spiritual world. Most of us on a spiritual path find ourselves in that state of change. What I believe and understand today is not the same thing I believed and understood 10 years ago, or 20, or 30. As more information is presented to me, my perspective changes. As I learn more and see things from different angles, I begin to understand that what I thought I knew was the view from one vantage point. I hope that I am growing and changing into something more wise and grounded and authentic each day. I hope the same for you as well.
When others look at us from one small perspective and from one touch-point in a shared span of time, their beliefs about who/what we are have no bearing. Compliment or insult, it does not matter. It is a skewed concept derived from limited information and tainted by their own experiences as well.
What they think of you is none of your business. Whether you like what 'they' are saying or not, it is not a reflection of who you are or what you will be in a moment, a day or a year from now. What matters is that you focus on your purpose, your transformation, and writing your own story-line. How others read it is completely on them.Aesop's moral: "Appearances are deceptive." Don't allow others to write your story with their perceptions. Only you know who you are and want to be; and, that's all that matters.
Keep growing :)
Sláinte,
Kallan
"What they think is none of your business." The first time I ever read that it was the most enlightening thing for me in my entire life. It was such a novel idea that, at first, I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. For two decades, I was raised by a mother whose mantra/admonition was "What will other people think!" It formed my perception of myself and behavior, to my detriment, for years and years. I am pretty much over it now, but when I think of the agony it caused, I am sad. Worse, I watch my 82 year old mother, lonely and bitter, because she won't let people into her life because she is so sure that they will think that her house, her clothes, everything is just not good enough.Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteWe have mothers from a similar generation. Appearances were everything to them. What the neighbors/teachers/strangersonthestreet thought had a great impact on behaviors and self-esteem.
DeleteWe are products of that upbringing, but we need not despair. Even that was another point in time and we've grown from it :)
Thank you for sharing your experience, Sharon! I love hearing from you!
I have the same mother...I know of what you both speak. I learned to find my own self-esteem and my own happiness despite how I was raised. I too love the quote and learned from it years ago! Great post Kallan! Hugs Sharon!
DeleteThanks Autumn! I find it interesting how many of us find a goddess-centered spiritual path as a way to heal from our mother issues as well.
DeleteThis could not have been posted at a better time for me. It's a bit of a long story, but suffice it to say that I spent a few hours this morning frustrated with my situation. Reading this reminded me that it is temporary and the people who truly matter know what I can do and am doing; the people making things more difficult for me can only do so for so long and in the end, I know I will rise above the muck and fly. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found it helpful, Stephanie! Hugs!
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