Freedom

I am a reader ... I read nearly everything I can get my hands on. I often have several books going at one time, many times multiple fiction books. Alongside those, there is the Bible (which I should have listed first because it is the only one that arouses a huge degree of "hunger" to know more). Often I have one or two non-fiction publications going as well. Crazy sometimes, but I love to learn and I love to read.

Most recently, I've been putting away the wisdom of Dr. Wayne Dyer. If you know him, you know that he certainly has a different spiritual center from mine, but I find his wisdom applicable regardless of my center on Christ. His thoughts are often very valid.

From "Your Sacred Self" I quote ...

Can you imagine living one complete day without thinking about yourself? Nothing offending you, nothing disturbing you, nothing causing you to be angry? Is it possible to see the world the way it is? Is it possible to be unconcerned with yourself in this picture?

Would you then be able to reach out and help others, to live, work and provide, unconcerned about the returns? Just try to imagine not thinking about yourself even once all day. Not once questioning why you are not appreciated enough, not wealthy enough, not being treated fairly enough.

You notice only that others do what they do, without comparing yourself with them. You give of yourself and ask and expect nothing in return. You simply live. You are free!

...

... when you are unconcerned about self-importance, you have freedom. You are on purpose, feel blissful, and expect the world to be a divine place where you love others. ... you are not obsessed with getting the credit of looking good in the eyes of anyone.

(end quote)

Imagine living like this. Jesus did. He lived to bring glory to his father ... to our Father God. He didn't look for credit, didn't say "why me?", didn't complain about not being appreciated, didn't get frustrated or angry or disappointed because of himself. He didn't expect anything of those around him, but took them as they were. His frustration, anger, disappointment, etc. were always pointing toward how people were not bringing glory to God. It wasn't about him. So, if we are to become more Christ-like and constantly pursue bringing glory of God, doesn't it make sense that we must seek the freedom from ourselves that Dr. Dyer talks about?