”Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. Being true to anyone else or anything else is not only impossible, but the mark of a fake messiah.” ~ Richard Bach
“This above all: to thine own self be true….” ~ William Shakespeare
A couple weeks ago one of my closest childhood friends died. We hadn’t been in touch in recent years, but were in constant touch when we were school kids.
I’ve always thought of myself as a maverick. But Reed had me beat by a mile. There was nothing conventional about him.
One of the things we loved to do together was play with our chemistry sets—we both were fascinated by the subject. Reed knew all about chemistry and science, and I learned a lot from him.
One day after class our fourth-grade teacher took me aside and urged me to sever my close friendship with Reed. She thought he would never amount to much, and felt he was a bad influence on me.
She sure got him wrong!
After we graduated from high school I went into the US Navy and Reed went to college. He graduated with a doctorate degree, and spent his working career as a science teacher. When he retired he returned to our hometown, and lived there with his wife and three children till he died.
Reed had retired early and spent his “second career” as a television broadcaster, with his own weekly news show. He became a celebrity in western New York State. He developed a reputation as a passionate advocate for elderly people and their welfare, when he himself was still a relatively young man.
We all have unique gifts and talents. Reed certainly had his, despite our fourth-grade teacher’s opinion. He had a friendly, outgoing personality. Everybody loved him. I saw his final broadcast just a couple weeks before he died. He was as charismatic and eloquent as I remembered him from long ago.
Our fourth-grade teacher’s opinion notwithstanding, Reed made a huge, positive difference in many lives because he believed in himself and because he loved people. He always ended his shows with these words:
“May all that is proud and true and noble abide with you.”
Reed was a man who dared to be true to himself.
We do not have to be in the public eye, as Reed was, to use our unique gifts and talents—gifts and talents not one other person on this planet has. According to my spirit guides, not only is it necessary for us to acknowledge our special gifts and talents—but it is required that we use them for the greater good of others and ourselves. This is the reason we incarnated in this lifetime.
*****************************************
This video is a bit different from those we normally have. But if you sit quietly while you watch it, I think you’ll gain greater love and appreciation for yourself. The scenery and music are soothing and peaceful.
Related links:
How Do You Learn To Love Yourself?
Do You Have a Hard Time Loving Yourself?
**************************
Do you recognize and acknowledge your unique gifts and talents? Are you using them to help others and yourself? Please share your thoughts and comments with us below.
****************************
What other subjects would you like us to talk about in these posts? Please email me.
*****************************
Reprint our articles free
You are free to publish or syndicate any of our articles. Visit our archives to view the articles. It’s quick and easy. All we ask is that you include this statement:This article appears courtesy of John Cali and Spirit. Include a link to our website:
http://www.greatwesternpublishing.org
*****************************
About John Cali
John Cali is a writer, blogger, and channel for a group of spirit guides. His next book is Conversations With Spirit: Real Answers to Life’s Pesky Questions, Book 1. John lives in northwestern Wyoming.Sign up for his newsletter here.
Personal readings with John and Spirit
elizabeth
Loving self is a grand lesson
Thank you John Cali for all you have given us
You are an exceptional being
John Cali
Thanks very much, Elizabeth!
Sarah d
Hi John,
Your friend, Reed, sounds a wonderful character. How wonderful that you were blessed with each others’ friendship and that he had such a fulfilling life.
Thank you for sharing this meaningful post. It came at a crucial time for me as I have been full of self doubt and lacking self love lately. I haven’t meditated for a while and feel a bit disconnected. I really need to get back in a routine and find another way to use my talents.
Thanks again, John and blessings to you 🙂
John Cali
Thanks very much, Sarah. He was indeed a wonderful character, and a blessing to so many over the years.
I think most of us go through periods of self-doubt and not loving ourselves. I certainly have. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, my dear.
Blessings to you too, Sarah.
Sarah D
Thanks John, your thoughts and prayers mean a lot.
blessings.
John Cali
You’re most welcome, Sarah!
Gail Sutton
Life is a lot easier when you simply be yourself, you can’t be anyone else 😉
It took me 50 years to wake up, but better late than nevah, right? 😉
Warmest Hugs John, You ROCK! xo
PS. Funny we hear from less-than-highly-evolved adult family at a young impressionable age that in some way we aren’t OK as we are and we have to change as a supposed “inspiration” for us to reach our potential. Achieving what one wants through focusing on it’s opposite? Who ever made up THAT silly mis-interpretation of universal law? Lol!
John Cali
Good point, Gail — it’s hard to be someone else. It took me about that long to wake up too. 🙂
That is a really silly interpretation of universal law!
Much love and big hugs to you, Gail!
Laura
I love the video and this blog. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I really needed to see the video and read this blog today! Thank you so much!
John Cali
Thanks very much, Laura. Reed was ready to go — he lived a full life and had uplifted so many on the way.
Chuck
i my opinion yes you can’t judge a person from current character since they may transform later and do great things. I myself have had periods where i excelled and periods that i look back and go – really? that was dumb on my part.
So the 4th grade teacher projected the future based on the current behavior at the time. It was not right for her to say he will end up a loser etc.
It still can true that at that instance he was not a good influence though. It just means at that point in time Reed exhibited that behavior.
but we are not our behaviors as we can change them.
John Cali
Thank you, Chuck.