Meeting
your soul is not a onetime event but a moment-to-moment deepening, an
ongoing rite of passage from who you thought you were to who you really
are.
—Living
From The
Inside Out
Humankind is enthralled with exotic animals. In fact, more than 135 million humans visit zoos each year. This exceeds the number of people attending all major U.S. sporting events combined. Is it because animals are entertaining, inspirational, and noble? Could it be that they provide a bridge of understanding whereby we can reconnect to our authentic nature? Do they have an important message to deliver to humanity that could play a vital role in enriching our lives?
Growing up on a farm and animal refuge in Louisiana, I had the opportunity to learn many valuable lessons from domesticated, as well as exotic animals. They became my teachers early in life and have helped to educate and guide me ever since. David was no exception.
From the moment David came to live with my birth family, he marched to his own private drummer. Five feet high at the shoulders and weighing in at 6500 pounds, he was a male hunk. David was a hippopotamus who boasted a barrel-shaped blue-gray bulky body, pink belly, large head, ears that wiggled, and stumpy legs.
When it came to recreation, eating and swimming were his favorites. Like most Americans, David liked super-sized meals. Although he was a confirmed vegetarian, he preferred quantity over quality. Being a water lover, David enjoyed a hippo pool party every day. He even provided his own sun-screen and moisturizer by naturally secreting a pinkish colored oil that protected and lubricated his skin.
Being thick-skinned emotionally, as well as physically, David didn't spend his time monitoring other people's opinions. In fact, he appeared to live by the motto, "What other people think of me is none of my business!" Instead of getting bogged down with external codes of behavior, David seemed comfortable just being himself. If he wanted to grunt and growl, he did it; if he wanted to open his huge mouth and show his limited number, but impressive eight-inch long teeth, he did it; if he wanted to take a nap in the afternoon, he did it; if he wanted to sink to the bottom of his heated pool and literally walk or run along the floor, he did it; if he wanted to roll in the mud, he did it; and if he wanted to graze on the grassland by moonlight, he did it. David was the real deal — he didn't need to prove anything to anyone.
On the other hand, insecurities want you to prove things. Human beings with issues of authenticity are often run by insecurities which invariably leave a trail of rationalization, misunderstanding, anxiety, violence, deceit, and unhappiness.
Insecurities are rationalizations that are composed of rational lies. They are falsehoods we tell ourselves that misrepresent the truth, bear false witness, and keep us weak and incompetent. For instance, to compensate for feelings of inferiority, a person might blame or judge others to try and prove their superiority; to compensate for feelings of powerlessness, someone might create melodrama or chaos to try and prove that they are important; to compensate for feelings of inadequacy an individual might seek other's approval to try and prove their worthiness.
Insecurities lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications. Fear of being wrong, looking foolish, taking responsibility, and being rejected make it difficult to connect at an authentic level. When we let limiting insecurities stop us from expressing our real feelings and needs, we forfeit our true nature for a counterfeit one that is corruptive.
Insecurities can be poisonous. They can torment us, preoccupy our thinking, cause unwanted anxiety, rob us of sleep, undermine out integrity, and negatively affect our health. When we threaten our own sense of self, we give up our authentic power.
Insecurities are at the center of all violence. When someone believes a terrible lie about themselves, like they are powerless, they often strike out at others in defense. Fueled by self-doubt, fear, and anger, a minor conflict can often escalate into a major confrontation.
Insecurities will never disappear as long as they are rationalized in the mind. Only by going to the wisdom of the heart can deceit be apprehended and the truth be known.
The heart holds our identity and inner direction. But if we continue to define ourselves in terms of others' opinions, beliefs, and expectations, we will remain at their mercy for approval, acceptance, and attention. What matters most is not what others think of us but what we think of ourselves.
David naturally followed his authentic knowing. Let him remind you, as he did me, to go to your own center once again and honor who you truly are.
Feel free to share this inspirational message with friends, just keep the copyright and credits intact. If you enjoyed this article and would like more practical guidance to soulful living, read Dr. Jean-Marie Hamel’s book, Living from the Inside Out.
© 2005 Jean-Marie Hamel