An Epiphany
I have had an epiphany . . . well, that was my first thought, but I had to go and look up epiphany to make sure that was the right term.
Epiphany:
(1) a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
(2) an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking
(3) a: an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure; b: a revealing scene or moment
Yep, that was it—I had had an epiphany.
I was reviewing something I'd done and realized that it really was good. Now, I'd been politely complimented by the people who knew me and I'd smiled and thanked them, but when I heard it for myself, what I heard wasn't the way it had sounded to me—what I heard was fantastic!
My whole sense of reality is skewed now.
I had thought I knew how it sounded.
I was totally wrong.
What else am I wrong about?
I've written before about how you suddenly get a glimpse of yourself—the reflection in the store window, a photograph, or a video that seems so different from the image you have in your mind—and the image you see typically isn't flattering. But to catch a glimpse of myself that was better than what I thought . . . it's just messing with my mind!
But as I thought about it, I realized that this is probably true of all of us—we are more significant than we think. It's the season of "It's a Wonderful Life," and while we don't have our own personal Clarence to show us our significance, let me be Clarence for you.
I struggle with the fact that life is so daily—the same tasks over and over and over and . . . well, you get the idea. But imagine if you were not in your home, your work place, your world doing the same things over and over. You give both stability and productivity to your world. It may be the same bed you're making, but you bring order, the same job you leave for every morning but your effort provides for the needs of your family, the same book you've read to your children a million times, but you've shown them that there is someone who can be depended on. And what about the person who calls you her friend, for whom you are always there in fun or angst—what would her life be without you?
Need I go on, or will you take it yourself from here?
You matter.
You are doing a good job.
You are significant in this world.
Carry on!
Epiphany:
(1) a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
(2) an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking
(3) a: an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure; b: a revealing scene or moment
Yep, that was it—I had had an epiphany.
I was reviewing something I'd done and realized that it really was good. Now, I'd been politely complimented by the people who knew me and I'd smiled and thanked them, but when I heard it for myself, what I heard wasn't the way it had sounded to me—what I heard was fantastic!
My whole sense of reality is skewed now.
I had thought I knew how it sounded.
I was totally wrong.
What else am I wrong about?
I've written before about how you suddenly get a glimpse of yourself—the reflection in the store window, a photograph, or a video that seems so different from the image you have in your mind—and the image you see typically isn't flattering. But to catch a glimpse of myself that was better than what I thought . . . it's just messing with my mind!
But as I thought about it, I realized that this is probably true of all of us—we are more significant than we think. It's the season of "It's a Wonderful Life," and while we don't have our own personal Clarence to show us our significance, let me be Clarence for you.
I struggle with the fact that life is so daily—the same tasks over and over and over and . . . well, you get the idea. But imagine if you were not in your home, your work place, your world doing the same things over and over. You give both stability and productivity to your world. It may be the same bed you're making, but you bring order, the same job you leave for every morning but your effort provides for the needs of your family, the same book you've read to your children a million times, but you've shown them that there is someone who can be depended on. And what about the person who calls you her friend, for whom you are always there in fun or angst—what would her life be without you?
Need I go on, or will you take it yourself from here?
You matter.
You are doing a good job.
You are significant in this world.
Carry on!
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