"I spent the early part of my life trying hard to be someone else. At school, I wanted to be a great athlete, at university an admired socialite, afterward a businessman, and, later, the head of a great institution. I eventually discovered that I was not destined to be successful in any of these guises, but that did not prevent me from trying, and being perpetually disappointed with myself...
The problem was that in trying to be someone else, I neglected to concentrate on the person I could be. That idea was too frightening to contemplate at the time. I was happier going along with the expectations of others...climbing ladders which others placed in my way, collecting things and contacts rather than giving expression to my own beliefs and personality" ~ Charles Handy, The Hungry Spirit
This brief post is thanks to a conversation I had earlier this week. I was talking with a member of a family business and he said, "I know she doesn't want it, but I'm going to get my daughter to take the promotion, it's right for her."
Your ought self, the self that is imposed on you by the ladders others place in your way, is nearly always in conflict with your ideal self. That self which, once discovered, longs to climb the ladder of authenticity.
Take a deep look inside; whose ladder have you been climbing? And, more importantly, what ladders are you placing in the way of your loved ones? Are you helping them discover and cultivate their authentic self or are you placing your ladders in the way of their unique greatness?
And for those of you who celebrate, a happy Easter morning to you!
"I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine."
<br/><span class="body-2 opacity-80" style="padding-top:0.75rem">~ Bruce Lee</span>
"Coach, I'm me, why would I want to be anything else."
<br/><span class="body-2 opacity-80">~ Jamie in Ted Lasso</span>
