I remember the first time I heard a local guru gossiping to a group of followers about another local guru. I laughed, thinking “way to walk the walk.” How many people had put this person on a pedestal, and didn’t they expect a little more out of them?
Then I fell. Hard. I hadn’t even realized I could fall? I thought I was planted safely and firmly on the ground.
Boy, was I wrong.
Someone had given me a lovely pedestal, and I’d climbed, willingly, to the very top. But once my secret was revealed (I’m human, with lots and lots of flaws), they gently toppled me off to the side, and left me there.
Since then I’ve learned that at any given moment we are given the opportunity to believe we are something different than what we are. Most of the time we don’t use this to our advantage!
When we allow someone to build us up, they can take it all away (whenever they want to). So we are always vulnerable.
When we decide to judge someone as succeeding or failing, we are missing an important aspect of who they are; a being of light who deserves our love and support simply because they exist.
We are not performers here to satisfy the expectations of others. We are here to love and be loved because we are here. If someone can’t love us for that – they are not loving themselves, and loving us will be impossible for them, no matter how great we pretend to be.
Love is a pedestal free zone, and loving is for each other. Because.
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So true. It’s a precarious place on top of a pedestal! I feel very uncomfortable when anyone tries to put me on one because it is only a matter of time before I tumble down. You’re right: we’re human, not statues. We’re allowed to be human. And there is much to love and admire about each of us, and much to disdain. I’m careful at what I choose to see in a person, and I do hope others do the same for me!
I always try to remember that people are a work in progress and where they are at this moment – when they are annoying or disappointing me most – has nothing to do with where they are going ….great post and good reminder today!!
I’m a huge fan of balance. Admittedly, I don’t always achieve it..but as someone who’s built pedestals for others, and had a few of my own, I now see the danger of these illusions.
I’ve read a few of your articles. As a fellow practitioner it’s nice to see someone with a balanced approach to spirituality. I’ve met too few of those in my life. I look forward to reading more in the future. 🙂