When setting up this blog page I had to write a new Introduction to my profile section, since the old intro dealt specifically and exclusively with my food blog ("Ode to My Easy Bake Oven") and my new intro had to encompass both, seemingly divergent blogs. As usual, I did not think too much about things, but just sat down and let my verbal cup runneth over, so to speak. I, of course, typed far more than the 1200 characters allowed for this section, and so had the arduous and painful task of self-editing. (No author ever likes to remove a single letter, not to mention entire word or sentence, unless under unimaginable duress!) But, edit, I did, until I had managed to sneak in under the minuscule allotment of runes.
When my husband read my new intro, he immediately remarked that he loved it (I knew I picked a good one!), saying that he loved that I made no mention what so ever as to what I did for a living. Funny - it never occurred to me to even do so. However, upon reflection, I realize what an interesting and astute observation he did make, since for most people when asked to describe who they are, they immediately start with what they are. I'm a doctor...a lawyer...a teacher....an artist....a mechanic....a computer tech....a student...I'm sure you get the picture. But what we do has very little to do with who we are; what we do is simply how we spend a good deal of our time, hopefully making enough money to support a happy and fulfilling life.
In fact, on a very basic level, every one of our intros could start out with the same sentence...
I am a spiritual being, having a human experience.
The bits that we add after this sentence simply fill out the details a little more. And, for most of us, what we do for a job or career or life role, will undoubtedly change and evolve over our life time, and so, in an effort not to have to constantly update profiles, I vote that we could all simply edit down our info to that one, brief sentence.
"Hold on a minute", says the Ego, who up until this point has been sitting somewhat quietly (and definitely anxiously) in the corner. "You can't forget about me! Where would you be without me?! You are nothing without me!" The Ego (aka the inner toddler) does have a seemingly endless and self-inflated opinion of himself. But, as we grow more conscious of our infinitely powerful inner world, which is cosmically connected to all of our potential and possibilities, we must learn to tame and sometimes suspend our Ego. We don't need to dispense with Ego, just keep it in perspective.
Of course, we have to wonder if such a simple Ego-free statement could adequately sum up such a complex human being. Is it enough to simply describe oneself in a short and simple sentence? Would doing so negate all of the other things that we are? Can such a condensed, uncomplicated and simplified description appropriately convey the whole of us? I suppose it would depend on who you ask - your Spirit or your Ego.
And so, in closing, I invite you to consider your own personal intro. Imagine that you are at a cocktail party where everyone is a stranger. The hosts have asked you introduce yourself to the other guests, describing yourself, but omitting any details of your profession - who are you? (Please feel free to unleash your Ego as you see fit!)
Of course, we have to wonder if such a simple Ego-free statement could adequately sum up such a complex human being. Is it enough to simply describe oneself in a short and simple sentence? Would doing so negate all of the other things that we are? Can such a condensed, uncomplicated and simplified description appropriately convey the whole of us? I suppose it would depend on who you ask - your Spirit or your Ego.
And so, in closing, I invite you to consider your own personal intro. Imagine that you are at a cocktail party where everyone is a stranger. The hosts have asked you introduce yourself to the other guests, describing yourself, but omitting any details of your profession - who are you? (Please feel free to unleash your Ego as you see fit!)
