Life identities

Are we forming identities which we admire?  Have we succeeded where we may observe that others have failed?  Why do we think that a life image is necessary anyway?  Clothing, vehicles, homes, what we like to term "lifestyle" combine to put it all out there . . . that 'looking good' mentality -- constructed mainly for others, it seems.

 

Individual style.  Aspirations go in this direction . . . from designer labels to manner of speaking, the projected self.  It is, without doubt, a lot of effort -- work, a constant stream of tries to get it right.  Envy and jealousy are often viewed as reassuring feedback. 

 

Feeding an image requires an element of superficiality - fakery.  That mask is worn increasingly well, it can easily morph into a version of humanity all its own.  Turn the soul's bare visage to the sun, the clear light of day.  At least try it occasionally, to temper the headlong rush.

Evolution

Of late, thoughts of becoming another person entirely have flitted into and around, inserting themselves into mind at odd moments . . . more often, even insistently.  Beginning with a blank slate, for lack of a better way to see it.

Learning a new language, maybe two; acquiring the skill to prepare pain au chocolat; meeting others completely differently, approaching life with all filters down, using every bit of willpower to be open and loving while seeing all around with clear eyes and ears.

Discarding old response mechanisms, forgetting all currently held ideas, holding only to ethics, values and compassion.  Reading, writing, thinking, loving sunsets, bird sounds in the early morning, the blissfully serene state of silence.  Free from a chattering, clattering mental condition, superimposed on sanity.

Really SEEING and HEARING -- giving up on control, power or manipulation of events pointlessly designed to achieve  . . . what?  Get another life.

Ethics

Ethical behavior.  That manner of functioning which is consistently honorable no matter who is present to observe it.  Falling short of this desirable state of mind is familiar to most of us.  A purely ethical mind tracks nothing which is basely directed; that is, 'keeping to the high road' governs all thought and action.

Often, our admiration of another's ethics is misdirected.  When this occurs, we feel betrayed . . . as if our own honor has been impugned.  It is reasonable to ask ourselves why we trusted that particular someone -- what 'filters' were at work which obscured his/her true character -- and/or why we feel that our opinions and ideas should take precedence over a personal choice of anyone else.

Values exist in many forms, and we know principles vary, across cultural borders . . . even within families.  Human life may be more precious to some than to others.  An act which will be considered undesirable by some is commonly acceptable to others.

Sticking to a life purpose which hurts no one, harms nothing living and breathing, considers the environment, places health and cleanliness as high priorities -- seems a great first step toward truly ethical living.