“No Man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne, author
There have been debates as to what embodies our “nature” and our “spirit”. Philosophers have long argued whether our personalities, our traits and our habits are a result of inherent born behaviors or instead are they learned as a result of our environment and its ever present stimulus. In short “nature” vs “nature” at each other’s throats throughout the millennia. Our spirit is even harder to define. Is it the theological concept of the soul? Is it our conscience fueled my societal concepts of morality and decency? Or is it something all together different and separate? While there is merit to all sides I believe its best to simplify in a quest for clarity.
Our nature and spirit are linked together much like so many strands of DNA in an effort to guide us toward our higher purpose or our true calling. Our true calling can be defined as living a life filled with worthy pursuits that engage, thrill, and ultimately fulfill our life’s work. It sounds easy enough but so few of us reach our true calling. There are many stumbling blocks; fear, lack of curiosity, lack of vision, etc. So those who don’t find this calling can live a great life but it will not be as fully actualized as those truly living their calling in a passionate way. So ultimately debating the origin of your nature and your spirit are moot points if they are not working in unison for the creation of our calling.
This is not to diminish the joint forces of nature and spirit. By denying one’s true nature it only serves to degrade the spirit. Beyond religion our physical selves are powered by an energy that is alive and in many ways like all energy is unceasing and can’t be destroyed. But a spirit that is not in unison with its nature cannot grow and thrive. Deny your true face and you risk injuring your spirit.
“People say life is short. Oh no!! Life is long. Especially if you make bad decisions..” – Chris Rock, comedian, observer of life
We make thousands of decisions everyday. Most of them are of the mundane variety; what to wear? What to eat for lunch? Which train to take? Every life contains watershed moments and those are the ones that truly take you from one trajectory to another. The ability to make good decisions is in direct relation to acting in harmony with your nature and your spirit. If nature or spirit is out of alignment it’s almost impossible to count on them to guide you to a positive outcome. All the doubts, misgivings and fear have to fall away and only when there is an embrace of the better self can we arrive at a positive and fulfilling outcome. The calling speaks to us all. For some it’s a whisper; for others it is an orchestra but the sound is there nonetheless. It is up to us to heed the sound and use our honesty and drive to achieve all that we can.
“No matter where you go, you are what you are player and you can try to change but that’s just the top layer. Man, you was who you was ‘fore you got here..” – Jay – Z, rapper & Brooklyn’s Finest
Doesn’t it speak for itself? Changes to the top layer are superficial and without meaningful and sustainable impact to your calling. Embrace and love who you are. The universe will conspire with you to return that love and more. Own your greatness..it can make you noble. Own your flaws…they make you human and show you there is no perfection. Own humility…there is always someone better or worse off than you. Most of all own life and love and all that it offers. Nature and spirit are waiting to take you to your calling.
