You Already Are

A thought came to me recently while I was walking (which feels like a small miracle considering I can finally walk 30–45 minutes without my knee protesting every step).

God doesn't have to try to be God.

God is just God.

The sun doesn't try to shine.
Flowers don't try to bloom.
The ocean doesn't try to be the ocean.

They simply are.

Humans, on the other hand, seem to think we're applying for the position.

We spend an astonishing amount of energy trying to become who we already are.

Trying to be successful enough.
Wise enough.
Productive enough.
Healthy enough.
Spiritual enough.
Accomplished enough.

Enough.

The other day I caught myself doing it again.

Not writing enough.
Not working hard enough.
Not doing enough.
Not moving fast enough.

And finally I laughed and said:

"Jenn, enough with the not-enoughness."

Because the truth is, the finish line keeps moving.

Finish the project? Start another one.
Reach the goal? Set a bigger goal.

Accomplish the thing you dreamed about? Wonderful. What's next?

It's exhausting.

Meanwhile, life keeps happening.

The flowers are flowering.
The ocean is oceanning.
The sun is doing whatever it is the sun does.

And somehow none of them seem worried about whether they're doing enough.

Sometimes I think Life is trying to tell us something.

Through ordinary things.

A flower.
A sunset.
A walk.
A dog who is perfectly content doing absolutely nothing productive.

The message seems surprisingly simple:

You don't have to earn your place here.
You don't have to become worthy of being alive.
You don't have to spend your whole life trying to become yourself.

You already are.

Love,

Jenn