Creative Living
The planet does not need more ‘successful people.’ The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.
–Dalai Lama-
This quote has stayed with me. The words read like a call to action, reminding me of an Uncle Sam recruitment poster stating in bold letters, WE WANT YOU!
Except the call is for artists and not soldiers.
It’s a powerful message in a culture hazed by marketing campaigns, all in the attempt to sell. Sell us a better life, a happier, more fulfilling life if only we achieve this or buy that.
Our culture has become one giant sales pitch.
But the flaw in all this happens to be a fundamental one. A happy, fulfilled life cannot be bought.
Research professor and author, Brene Brown recites a prayer to herself before going on stage to deliver a speech. Part of this prayer includes not having to hustle for her worthiness. This is a conscious effort on her part to stay centered in her work, a conscious effort not to participate in the ‘sell.’
And it struck me. We are a culture of hustlers, we are all hustling for our worthiness.
Our definition of success is entirely messed up.
But where did this definition come from? And more importantly, why do we believe we have to ‘do’ anything to make ourselves worthy? Why don’t we believe we are already enough, just as we are?
Imagine if our definition of success was measured not by the number in our bank account, but in the moments we felt connected to something bigger than ourselves, where the focus was more on compassion and less on accumulation.
Imagine if our communities were full of peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds…
Where hustling for our worthiness was unheard of, where we inherently know our worth and the value we bring to the world just by being ourselves.
Imagine that.
Maybe it’s time to say our own little prayer, maybe it’s time to look for the artists.