Recently and out of the blue I was asked an infamous age-old question-the kind you usually don’t get asked in middle age. For once I did not struggle to answer. I had let go, you see, of trying to determine what I should be “when I grow up”. It is one of those persistent questions: “What do you want to be?
With an “empty nest” at home I have had the luxury to engage in self-actualization and contemplate my existence. That’s just to say, I’ve been working on my self— AND I have learned about dharma. In eastern culture it is “the ‘law of being’ without which things cannot exist”. (I have only a superficial understanding, so I encourage further study.)
What I have gathered is that by understanding the nature of MY nature I already answer the question. In other words, it is by embracing fully who I already am that I will fully fulfill my dharma. Ironically, this is somewhat of a journey. Sometimes we forget who we are, and many times identities are imposed on us. It is more recently that I have learned to release the pressure of “fitting in” that I am able to see all this clearly. Perhaps you have come to this realization early in your life. Congratulations! If not, I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late to BE. You let go of pre-conceived restrictions of who/what you think, or are told you are. Your path is unique and only you can find/know this. Have patience and keep an open mind.
May you find the time or place when/where your answer is “I AM”.
I feel compelled to leave you with words from the Persian poet, Rumi:
"You were born with potential
You were born with goodness and trust…
You were born with greatness
You were born with wings
You are not meant for crawling,
so don’t.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.