Doing, being, becoming

Ah. In the time between my last post and this one, I've had another birthday. Yeah. Another notch in the passing of my life. And, it begs the questions: What am I doing? What have I done? One thing I have learned in these 50+ years, is that, as a human being, it's not only about what I'm doing and what I've done. It's rather about what I have been and what I am. After all, we're human beings, not human doings. Will we be remembered for what we've done? Maybe. Will we be remembered for what we were? Most certainly. Good or bad. It's our character, our inner "stuff" that makes the difference. I will go one step further. It is more important that we concern ourselves with what we are than with what we do. Rick Warren, in his book, "The Purpose Driven Life," begins it with this phrase: "It's not about you." This staggering, counter-cultural profundity contains the incredible essence of his thesis. In order to have a life with purpose, we must get ourselves off the number one slot in our priorities. If you dare to try this upside-down direction, you can find that your life takes on meaning, that you are becoming something better than you were before, and that, you can be truly, deeply happy and satisfied. It's as though seeking happiness leaves us empty and frustrated and still wanting more, but seeking to please God and seeking to help others leaves us full and content. Imagine.
So, can you slow down a few moments? Take a look at your life. Take a look inside. Ok, what are you doing? But more importantly, what are you becoming? Do you like it? Are you happy with what you see? It's not too late to change, as long as you still have a pulse. And, if you're still reading, you can start right now. One act. One change in attitude. One determined decision to take yourself out of that #1 position on the list. I dare you.