Today I watched “The Meaning”, by Jim Carrey. I loved it so much (and still do)… until the ending. This seems to be where so many spiritual messages of my generation go askew.
We go from saying things like “Risk being seen in all of your glory. ” to “Don’t ever let fear get in the way. You could fail at what you don’t want so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love. Dare to ask the Universe for what you want.”
What’s wrong with that? Nothing. As long as these messages serve only to inspire and liberate. But there’s often a letdown. I think there’s a wiser, fuller message to share. If we are willing to sacrifice some momentary inspiration in order to give our inspiration roots, we might say things like:
- There are times when the greatest act of bravery and accomplishment in the world is to love yourself IN your fear.
- You may take a chance on doing what you love and “fail”. You cannot fail. Taking a chance is a success. Feeling too afraid and loving yourself in your beautiful not-taking-that-particular-chance-right-now glory is also a success–a HUGE success.
- Dare to ask the Universe for what you want. If you get what you want, assume all things positive. If you don’t get what you want, assume all things positive.
- As Jim Carrey said, “The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is.” Consider that this may not always mean being kind or nice or uplifting. This may mean being a living example of a True Adult–one who has learned to love herself in her fear, her anger, her “ugly”. What could be more valuable than ceasing to war with ourselves? I’d argue that that is the shortest route to ceasing war with each other.
Of course, what I’ve said above is not perfectly wise. I’m sure that tomorrow I’ll have a critique of my own words, just as while loving Jim Carrey I have critiqued his. May we all continue to expand the frame until nothing and no one is excluded. As best I can tell, this is to know Oneness; this is to create a vital peace.
With love,
Liz
