6 - 24 - 17 Full of Myself

6 – 24 – 17

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“I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.”

I think it’s quite often that we forget to be thankful. I think it is nearly every moment of my life that I am not thankful, but our culture is not supportive of this either. From a commercialism standpoint people who are satisfied with what they have are terrible customers.

But in this case I’m speaking not of thankfulness for material things, situations, or even relationships. I am speaking of thankfulness for our own being, for all the ways that we ourselves are truly extraordinary. I think even people who frequently take time to thank God don’t commonly say things like “Thank you Lord for the outstanding mind you have given me.” I think pride factors into this fact in several ways.

Firstly, those who are thankful for what God has given them try to steer themselves away from pride. It is not hard to see how appreciating the good things of yourself can lead to pride. I think, however, that if we maintain the correct mindset at all times, we shall even find a deeper humility via thanking God for the talents he has given us. If we are careful to not begin to think that we own our abilities, and always recognize that they are only lent to us, we will not stray into pride. Additionally, through the constant recognition that our abilities are from God, we will begin to believe in a deeper sense that everything we do is through Him.

Now “constant recognition” may seem like a very absolute term but it is essential that this cognizance is an ongoing state. Simply knowing is never enough in our faith, we must reinforce and nurture our beliefs every day. I think some people imagine their knowledge of faith to be like a library, something that accumulates knowledge and can be searched precisely when we are in doubt of something. I think it is something more like a fruit tree. Wisdom is rarely offered to us when we look for it, but in its own season, just as the tree offers its fruit. Additionally, the more care we give to the tree, the more time we invest in it, the better and more fruit it will give us. I digress.

Secondly, when surrounded by prideful people it is quite difficult to share our delight at our own being. Recently the word “humblebrag” was invented. I think it is often used accurately to identify surreptitious braggarts, but it is also used against those who attempt to honestly share their joy at the gifts God has given them with others. In a competitive, prideful culture people do not feel comfortable sharing their joy, but braggarts will expound all the more on their own greatness in order to “win” what they see becoming an ever more cutthroat and important game. If those who are tempted to self-aggrandize were given validation before they ever made any Instagram posts or tweets they may do so less often and with less of a competitive spirit. If we encourage those who do not now share their joys via honest appreciation of what they do share we can experience each other more fully as the incredible people we are.

In short, we need to start appreciating ourselves in a wholesome and thankful mindset. We also need to start appreciating others more, in an effort to encourage this same mindset in their lives. The end result would be a positive feedback loop of thankfulness for ourselves and each other.

I think this state of affairs would result in objectively more talent as people would feel encouraged to pursue their interests, work harder, and collaborate with each other without fear of embarrassment.

Today I am thankful for my body, in its health as well as its athletic ability. Though I am not as blessed as some, some cannot walk while I complain of not jumping high enough.

I am thankful for my mind. I don’t doubt that there is another somewhere who is more skilled than me at everything I consider myself skilled, but I do not care. My unique blend of upbringing and ability has given me great joy in my life, and will certainly allow me to do more to help my brothers and sisters in the world.

Even writing this, I am somewhat anxious. I think of how people will react to reading it. That they will label me to be bragging. I suppose I’ve just said all I can about that though. Interesting how circular things sometimes are.