Parrot

I often hear the words of a colleague a few years ago strongly admonishing me to be more of who I am and less of what I see and hear and read from others. "Stop parroting what you have heard someone else say. Just because they put themselves out there like some authority doesn't mean they're right or have the whole answer!  Be You! You've done this work a long time and have so much more to offer than only someone else's words."

At the time it really struck a note with me.  I mean literally it struck a note because we were all talking and teaching about Sound Healing.  I felt a twinge of Ouch when he said it, but the greater revelation was in my knowing he was right, and that I needed to hear that.  I can't thank him enough because that phrase, "Stop Parroting..." has come to mind most times when I want to just share or post a status on facebook, or update my sound therapy manuals for the students, or revise a workshop talk, or even just in casual conversation when I am tempted to quote someone else so as to give my own experience validity...or so I think.

I have found that I now pass that on and try to encourage others.  Now this has resulted at times in great frustration. Many people still aren't plugging into more of their authentic selves based on some of the posts I see on facebook....there is still waaay too much sharing of someone else's words in order to express or validate their own views, feelings or situations.  A little of that goes a long way.  Especially when ten or twenty of my facebook friends share the exact same post of which I have already received myself from the original poster. Oh I know about changing the settings, but then I would miss the original posts or comments in my regular newsfeed.  And I can't spend as much time on facebook as I used to.... Too many wonderful new opportunities have come into my life and there is not one minute to waste. (as if there ever was, silly me)

Why are we afraid to be more of ourselves?  Why are you hesitant?  Is it being vulnerable that is so scary? Is it lack of self confidence, low self-esteem?  Is it just laziness or lack of motivation to write your own words, to be original, creative, put yourself out there?  Do you fear rejection?  Disagreement? Judgment?  If we let others define us, we are held captive in that box called What Will People Think? Believe me, some of those reasons were/are my own. Some people are going to judge us, criticize us, find the faults anyway. Follow your heart, and let the judges and critics suck their perfect little thumbs.  Really. Yes, I did say that.

Okay, so yes it is being vulnerable.  And maybe you won't use all the right grammar or syntax, and it won't flow or be on pretty framed pictures(facebook postcards), or maybe we'll overdose on too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!! but when you do say something that causes people to respond to the real you, to your heart, to your authenticity, it is so much more rewarding.  And it is inspiring. Those who occasionally write their own inspirational thoughts are giving the rest of us a huge gift, the gift of You! And then again, you might get a few challenges to address.  Not everyone will agree. Diversity is a wonderful thing, and often ruffles our feathers(parrot feathers?) to perhaps make us consider thinking a little differently. It can be uncomfortable. And it doesn't necessarily mean someone doesn't like us if they see things differently. We all have our own filters and perspectives.  And, we are all mirrors for each other if we are looking. Of course this is not just limited to facebook postings.  You know that, right?  Sure, we often learn by imitating and copying our mentors and those who have set the standards.  But real leadership and great teachers are those who have acknowledged their mentors, then found their own way, used their own natural gifts, lived life from their hearts and inspired others to do the same. Please note that I am not saying to not share and relate those things that resonate with us, and align with who we are.  That goes hand in hand with our being who we are, choosing to encourage others with either our own words or someone who already nailed it for us.  My point here is to just encourage you to be more of you more of the time. It has been said that what we give or perhaps what we choose to post on facebook or other social media is what we ourselves most need to hear first of all!  Hmmm ....

The Dalai Lama reminded us that we need to be more of our authentic selves in order to be healed and at peace within ourselves, in order to bring that peace and harmony to the world. ( I guess I just did that parrot thing again....) I encourage you to be more you and less of someone else and *their* words.  The world needs YOU to be you.  Like Dr. Seuss said,
Be the best you that you can be and not somebody else.  Everybody else is already taken.  (or something like that :) )  Be Who You Are.  Yes, we learn from others. Yes, we quote the words of the sages and the gifted and the teachers. But if that is ALL that we do, we give nothing of the uniquely beautiful gift of ourselves.  Do you see what I am saying?

Or like my friend said, "Stop being a parrot...."