May 17th - Be Yourself - Alive Today

The story...

About sixty guys lived on my college dorm floor.  There were about sixty girls who lived on each girl's floor too.  There was a type of guy who was noticed and included in the groups that I wanted to be a part of.  So, I wore similar clothes, went to the right places, performed the same rituals, and suffered along the way.

One term, my roommate and I decided to "buck the system" - rebel.  We wore t-shirts, bibs, and tennis shoes without socks.  Even with dirty clothes piled on our couch, friends still crowded into our room.  Although we were being rebels of a sort, new social norms were being established - others started to behave like us.  I'm glad we cleaned up the next term.  It was a fun place; but, nowhere to stay.

Living vicariously means living life through another person.  Although it's often done, it seems to lead to stress and unhappiness.  Put on a mask, play a role, try to fit, be part of the group, please people, and possibly idolize the leader.  Why not be yourself already?  Might you live in the present with an honest appreciation of you?  Why not appreciate the joys of being alive today as we truly are?

George idolizes Tony

The people in the only church in town would work out their own faith together.  The group relationships will be important towards their growth; yet, their most important relationship will be between them and God in Christ.  Their wise pastor would recognize the pitfalls of being idolized - the group living vicariously through his life of faith.  He would, succinctly and directly, point them back to their true faith lest he begin to enjoy being treated as a type of little god or doted pet.

Just for today...

"While growing up I had used denial to block myself from feeling pain, which also blocked me from experiencing pleasure."  Hope for Today (p. 138)

"... if I concentrate on being right here, right now, I know that I am fine . . . Let me make today the most fully alive day I have ever experienced." Courage to Change (p. 138)

"You seem good; I can see - Mimic you; Lose me."    Am I a Poet?