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Simple wisdom also tells us that we are
more than who we are in the world, more than our roles and more than our
personality traits. These aspects of our identity are not unreal or
unimportant, but they do not define us completely. Who we are transcends
all such categories. Whatever the role, or trait, or accomplishment
might be, it can be said "Yes, I am that, but I am so much more."
In the biblical book of Genesis, we read
that the human being is created in the image of God. But God is
imageless, infinite and incomparable. What then can it mean to be
created in God's image? The answer to this question is no doubt a
great mystery, but this much might be ventured: that as God is
absolutely unique and incomparable, so too is the human being, every one
of whom is absolutely unique and incomparable.
And yet, at the same time, we are physical
beings living in a complex social reality in which we are all trying to
measure up to this standard or that -- be it a standard of
accomplishment in our careers or a standard of beauty in our personal
appearance. In short, we who are each intrinsically unique and
incomparable, regard ourselves and one another as objects of comparison
-- and are hard on ourselves, and on one another, insofar as we fail to
measure up.Simple Wisdom can help
us to overcome this social pathology that demeans every one of us.
Simple Wisdom teaches us to see ourselves and one another in a new light
and to practice a genuinely appreciative loving kindness toward all the
people in our lives, including ourselves.
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