I thought of a fun illustration of the last post about identity. It came from a memory I have of being in Lake Tahoe. On the grounds where I was staying, there bloomed one single red rose near the line of parked cars. Over a period of days it began to bloom, completely opening up. Eventually I had to capture the elegant, dignified and perfect form by taking a photo.
What if some “one” or some “thing” had declared, over this stunning expression of nature and love: “You’re not a rose!” Would that have changed its velvety petals, its perfect symmetry, its glance into the sky? Confidently, I say no. And just like our elf/dentist from the previous post, telling that dentist that he was not one, could never make it so.
An author you may have heard of named William Shakespeare captured this concept in his play ‘Romeo & Juliet.’ Set during the 1500s this quote reflects the same truth we have been speaking of: “A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.” Meaning, call it what you want to, its essence is absolute. Untenable. Unwavering.
So it is also true for each of us. We are who we are, each born with gifts to share. As we embrace them, and give them in service, we feel in alignment. When we try to be an elf, instead of a dentist we struggle, suffer and feel lost.
Is there some purpose calling you like a faint whisper that arises only in silent moments? Does it say “I’m still here, I still need to be watered, nurtured and fertilized?” If so, you are human. But it is never too late to return to our own perfect essence and uncover who we are really here to be.
If this seems like a fluffy philosophy, or just too abstract, spend 60 seconds looking at this rose from Lake Tahoe, and imagine saying “You’re not a rose!” Do you really think we could “WILL” it into anything else?
