This morning I had a long chat with a friend of mine who happens to be a singer and songwriter. Somewhere in the conversation, I had asked him what he wanted to write. And he replied, “I want to write something great.”
That had me thinking all afternoon. He’s already an amazing musician. I didn’t ask him what he meant by “something great.” What exactly does he feel defines when his music is “great” or “not great?” When do we define what we do is great or not great?
It got me thinking of some of the music he has written and which songs of his I really and truly love. One song in particular is a song that just hit home with me, the first time I heard it. The words and the melody are haunting and, to me, it really is a “great” song. If I would ask him, I would venture a guess that he doesn’t think as strongly of it as I do. To me, he has created something great. And I know he will create even more great things. He just doesn’t know it yet, or maybe just hasn’t realized it yet.
It dawned on me that when he is in the moment, making music, he probably isn’t thinking “Someone right now could be thinking how great this is.” So then, when a person comes from that ‘thinking place’ in their head, the idea of labeling a value to their creation (like “great”) might be the only time that really occurs. Coming from a place in the heart, when we are just feeling, “labeling” our gifts to others may not be a reality.
When we are living in integrity and are in alignment with who we really are, what we produce, or create, or share with the world usually comes from a place of inner joy. It comes from a space of us giving back or of being of service to others. When we really are doing what we love, especially like those creative types like my friend, we give from the heart and don’t generally think about whether or not WHAT we are doing is of value to others. We just do it. (And, by the way, it usually is.)
When Mother Teresa was working in the slums of Calcutta, ministering to the poor, sick and dying people, working endless hours in the hospitals, emptying bedpans and watching people die, I can almost guarantee she wasn’t thinking “Wow, this is a great thing I’m doing for these people right now.” I remember reading somewhere that there were times she didn’t even feel worthy of being a nun and helping others. Can you imagine, someone who gave so much to so many without ever wanting anything in return, felt so unworthy? And how many people today credit Mother Teresa for being such an inspiration to them and literally changing the course of their lives?
I feel the lesson here is that when I go out into the world, when I am in the moment, living from my core, giving of service, and being in joy, I just AM. I shouldn’t really be caring about what others think and if it will be labeled by others as “great.” In the end, my ego would like to think that I did do something “great” and others may feel that way about me, but it really doesn’t matter. When we just give of ourselves to others, from our heart space, in whatever media that may be, great/lousy/indifferent doesn’t even matter. Because someone, somewhere out there, is going to feel great about what you did or what you shared, or who you are, or how you inspired them.
And you will never know.
So just go be yourself. Share your gifts. Live in your moment. You are already great.
River of Opportunities 