I've always liked Michael Jackson's song, "The Man in the Mirror." Thanks to Google, it was easy to find the lyric to the chorus:
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change)
It doesn't scan as well, but we who have XX chromosomes start with the woman in the mirror. That, in fact, is the only place any one of us can start. That's why I twinkled when I read this quote by Doris Mortman: "Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have."
So many of us in the West measure ourselves and the meaning of our lives based on what we have, not what or who we are. The American Dream could be stated as "You have to do it yourself to have what you want, so you can be who you are." But this is totally backward on a spiritual level.
In point of fact, it is who we are that prompts us to do what we do, so that we can have what we want. Do you have what you want? Is your doing based on who you are? Who are you?
One of the quintessential spiritual questions of all faiths is "Who am I?"
Who am I? Do I like who I am? Are there things I would change? Can I make those changes? Of course you can! Take a look at yourself, and then make a change. One. Tiny. Change. Then the next day, make another.
This distortion of the equation of life is why we are so discontent. If we don't work toward our betterment as humans, then we can have all the stuff in the world, and we won't be content. It's sad, really.
I think everybody wants to make the world a better place. Start with yourself, where you are -- not in judgment and self-abnegation, but with honesty and gentleness. Make one change, and keep making them until contentment creeps in and curls up on your lap.
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For spiritual nourishment, visit Dr. Susan Corso's website and blog, Seeds for Sanctuary. Friend her on Facebook.