"Pizzaoinia Emerging" Courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, Curator
Musings from Pizzaonia
Today, just figuring out who you are supposed to be has become a major chore. This should be easy, but in today’s world where everyone is offering a recipe for life, it can get complicated.
Just think how many times a day someone indirectly or directly offers advice on how to act or who to be. It has become so ubiquitous that we hardly notice it, at least not consciously.
While their thoughts are well- intentioned their words play quietly in the back of your mind. Unfortunately, these thoughts tend to show up randomly in quiet moments. And, they are not always positive.
They tend to creep in as moments of doubt. Maybe they are right, or we will ask ourselves what did they really mean by that. You get the point. We have all been there.
So what do we usually do about it? Well, if you are like most of us, nothing.
We tend to go being the same person we always have been. The question is – is that so bad? Only you and time can answer this one.
Nevertheless, sooner or later we have to deal with the basic question. Do we like ourselves? I wonder how many of us ever think about it. We should because the answer to the question probably shapes how we act most of the time.
How introspective are you? Are you introspective at all? Common sense would suggest that the average person is a combination of both. In my experience, I am not sure this is right. I think we are very much one or the other.
If you are introspective, you are probably still reading this. If you are not, you checked out by the second paragraph. This gets back to the basic question, who are you?
It takes a lot of quiet time to answer this question. Unfortunately, we live within a world where quiet is considered a vacuum that must be filled with noise or activity.
We are also bombarded daily with inspirational slogans and quotes from every direction. Soon as you hear or read one, the next bumper sticker of the day appears.
Add to these cell phones, texting, television, blaring radios and all other miscellaneous noise - fill in the rest with work and family activities, and you begin to see the picture. Can you imagine being on your death bed and asking yourself the question; I wonder who I was, and why did I never figure it out?
We all admire people who are sure of themselves. They project an image. We don’t have to like the image they are projecting, but we notice them. They have figured out who they are, and you can take it or leave it. Don’t get me wrong. These are not necessarily rude people. They stand for something, and it shows.
Even if we don’t like them, we may very well envy them. There is something noble when a person radiates strength and a sense of being.
So how do we become like they are. Let’s start with a basic question. Do we want to be like they are? If your answer is no, you can leave now. But for the rest of us, a bit of introspection is necessary.
Two questions always come up. Who are you now and who do you want to be? If who you are is who you want to be you are already ahead of most folks and have probably moved on.
A bit of honesty is also necessary here. If you want to be something or someone other than who you already are, can you be. Do you have the necessary personality traits that are required? An honest answer can save you a lot to time and trouble.
The simple truth is you have to be willing to get rid of all the obstacles and people who are in your way. Impossible you say. Then take inventory of your obligations, keep and learn to live with them, and get on with your life.
There is something noble in loving sacrifice. It requires and builds personal integrity. When we are willing to devote our lives serving those we love, who we are becomes clear. We begin to radiate the sense of being that we previously admired in others. We no longer have to ask who am I.
Brother Giovanni
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