To Be As We Are

​Every flower in the garden’s different and each blooms true to itself, without comparison or shame.

Every tree stands tall and proud, without being diminished by the majesty of the others that surround it.

Every creature has its unique way of being that suits its path in life, with no expectation that it should change.

Every star shines brightly, without ever compromising its own light.

So what is it, in human nature, that makes it hard for us to claim our unique essence, beauty, majesty, light and strength?

What has us comparing our very existence? Or compels us to hide, or snuff-out, our light? Or the light of others?

Where is the path that teaches us how to stand rooted in our own wild and essential nature …fully, and without apology, like other creatures?

After all, what are we apologising for?

For not being as expected, or needed? For making the other feel something they dislike? For fearing we’re not good enough? For fearing we're too much? 

Who is it that holds all these expectations about how we should be?

Do we ever question why that rose is red, rather than yellow?

Do we ever question why the bee can fly, but the lion can’t?

Do we ever compare any other planetary species, and judge that one should be more like the other? No.

But when it comes to our own, we have all these ideas about how we should be, and who is better, and who is right, and who should change.

Too often we’re met with judgement when we present our self bare, in the truth of our own essential skin.

It seems many would prefer us wrapped-up in the fur of pretence, and have us morph ourself to suit their personal desires and whims. 

The ant and elephant are both respected as mighty in their unique form. 

The cactus and porcupine are both allowed to be spiky. 

Birds can fly in different ways, in different directions, and are all accepted.  

Judgment, comparison, expectation, and critique seems to be reserved for us humans.

Perhaps it’s fear that makes us believe we need to be better, or at least alike, in order to survive. 

Maybe it's our own psychic mirror, which reflects back our wounds when we see another shine. 

Maybe our neglected soul hunger feeds off making the other wrong and small.

In the face of this how do we honour, and trust, the rightness of our unique being?

How do we dare to declare, “Look at me, here I am, standing tall”?

How do we shake-off the collective pretence that has us afraid of our truth?

How do we foster a balanced human ecosystem, where each person is seen as integral to the delicate web of life? 

Can those who are strategic, bright, and adaptable be accepted like fox?

Can those who are timid, graceful, and watchful be embraced like deer?

Can those who are powerful, unpredictable, and courageous be respected like tiger?

Can we accept, embrace, and respect these same qualities in our self, first of all?

This is the real work of our species …to realise, protect, and cultivate the intricate diversity that lives within our own self, and between us all.

​To not seek to modify, or homogenise, our humanity to suit our own, or other's, preferences, insecurities, or needs.
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But to allow it to flourish knowing that each, and every, one of us is essential, as we are.