Competition vs. Compassion

“The world will try to tell you lies about who you are.” Words of wisdom from Henry Nouwen in his book Life of the Beloved. He recognized the anguish we all go through when we search for meaning with our restless hearts. We must consciously choose to step out of the darkness and into the light of God’s love. It is a conscious choice to claim our belovedness and CHOOSE to live a life that knows the peace of abiding in that love. As a perfectionist, I am always looking to make things better, someone who is never quite at peace with where I am. However, I have only to look back on the fullness of 2010 and recognize I am truly blessed with family, friends and God’s love which makes me overwhelmed with gratitude.

I recently had a conversation with my brother about the dating world and he said life is a competition but if you go by Nouwen’s philosophy it is not competition but a compassionate choice to claim His unconditional love. So much of the world/ pop culture is obsessed with sex, power, prestige and possessions. People struggle to attain these things and try to make everything into a competition that only serves to build resentment and rivalry. One only has to look at what is on television to see how inundated we are with the desire to compete; America’s Top Model, The Bachelor, Top Chef, Survivor. We forget the great I AM. When we learn how to be still and abide in God’s love we are in the present moment and can come to know true joy.

Stay connected. One reason why I love yoga is that it continually reminds me how to abide in the present moment. Breath into what is and your body’s wisdom will naturally go into a pose when it is ready. Beginner yoga students, new grads from college for that matter, often make the mistake of looking at others rather than within. They feel they have to prove themselves or measure their performance against others. Only to realize over time their busyness is just that. You cannot compare. We are all on our own path. The present moment in yoga for me has the same sense of belonging I find in prayer life; a sense of uniqueness, peace and sweet surrender to let God live inside you and work through you.

I recently read Psalm 127 in the Bible and it made me reflect on my life choices. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain….It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil.” I had to laugh because I never get enough sleep. I am someone that will burn the candle at both ends and it made me wonder if I was staying connected to Gods will and trusting His unconditional love. For Nouwen, the discipline of prayer keeps you connected to the Father’s will and gives you the power to bless others in His name. I am grateful for this time in my life to focus on prayer while working as an Incarnate Word Missionary striving to be “Christ’s Hands in the World”.

Sometimes for spiritual reflection, I enjoy reading Fr. Gus’s writings at wellspringcommunity.net, who had a nice reminder “God is forever loving you. You do not have to change, grow follow certain rules or be good in order to be loved… You are loved so that you can change, grow be good and be loving….Be your best. Do your Best. Give Your Best. Leave the rest to the Lord.” I will choose the truth of Gods compassion over the lies told in competition any day out of the year.