The month of June is one of the prettiest months of the year.  The dead of winter is completely past, the trees are in full bloom, there are flowers everywhere and there is sunlight that lasts long enough for everyone to enjoy.  The beauty of the earth is truly splendid.  Since nature is so uplifting, it is a perfect time for us to take a long, hard and honest look at ourselves and how we measure up.  Before you jump to the conclusion that this will lead to a “sermon” on  “measuring up”, you can relax. 
   
    Regardless of our age, we are often not satisfied with whom we are.  When we are young, we want to be older.  When we are teens we find ourselves unattractive and unacceptable to our peers.  When we are young adults we find ourselves unsuitable in various aspects of life, not the least of which is the work place.  In middle age we see ourselves as “going down hill”, no longer being as attractive and worthwhile to society.  It goes downhill from there
   
    As we grow older we are eventually forced to face the facts.  We just don’t have the energy we used to have.  We can’t do everything we used to do.  We can’t follow the crowd as easily as we would like.  Our first instinct is to belittle ourselves.  All too often we fall into a funk, not to mention despair, at our “failing” selves.  This narrow perspective can lead to ill health on many levels.
 
    Why are we so negative about ourselves?  Why do we insist on dragging ourselves though the mud day after day after day?  Why do we berate and belittle ourselves so mercilessly?  Perhaps it is because we forget who we really are.  Or, perhaps, it is because no one has ever told us how wonderful we are.  Perhaps no one has taken the time to tell us what they really love about us.  How often do we notice beautiful qualities in others but we fail to tell them in fear of giving them an “ego” or perhaps we fear that they will think we are silly.

    If we took the time to reflect on the person we really are, versus the one we berate, we would all see a person that is worth loving.  We would see a person that has been gifted with endearing personality traits, wholesome character traits, uplifting spiritual gifts and perhaps even attractive physical traits. ( Yes we all have at least one.)  Recognizing our positive traits is vital to our emotional and psychological health.  It may even affect our physical health.  It is especially important to our spiritual health. 

    This week, why not take up the challenge of discovering our true self.  As you drive to work or sit in a comfortable chair at home, ask God to help you see the beautiful person you really are.  He will gladly do so since he made you in his own image and likeness.  Ask him to help you develop a more positive outlook on yourself.  Ask him to erase the negativity in your mind and heart.  Finally, take a few minutes simply to be quiet and still.  Allow God to be God.  He will come to you. He will fill you with his being.  If he can give new life to nature, don’t you think he can do it with us?  Happy seeking!

                            Lorette P. Nault