Growth Through Shrinking
When we're babies, we are only aware of our own immediate needs. We scream when we're hungry, sleep when we're tired, and make a mess of diapers whenever biology necessitates.
Then we grow and become aware of others. At first, we continue to see others as ways of getting our own needs met. As we mature, we begin to acknowledge the needs of others, and some of us even try to help meet needs as we're able.
And that's where we stop. We get to somewhere between 10 and 25 years old and simply stop advancing.
Is that all there is? Not in the least! There is a beautiful next step, and it is to complete the trek we began at birth. We can forget ourselves entirely. We can go from complete self-focus to utter self-denial. It's possible to have the needs of others dominate our own.
How do I know? It's called love, and the cross bears witness.
Then we grow and become aware of others. At first, we continue to see others as ways of getting our own needs met. As we mature, we begin to acknowledge the needs of others, and some of us even try to help meet needs as we're able.
And that's where we stop. We get to somewhere between 10 and 25 years old and simply stop advancing.
Is that all there is? Not in the least! There is a beautiful next step, and it is to complete the trek we began at birth. We can forget ourselves entirely. We can go from complete self-focus to utter self-denial. It's possible to have the needs of others dominate our own.
How do I know? It's called love, and the cross bears witness.
posted by Chitchat at 7:58 AM
0 comments
