Written by charliedean
Topics: Books
I’ve been a long-time fan of Johnny-O. I just started his newest book on the recommendation of some friends. Their church is doing a series based on this book.
When I am growing toward the me I want to be, I am being freed from the me I pretend to be. I no longer try to convince people I am important while secretly fearing I am not. (emphasis mine)
John Ortberg, The Me I Want to Be, p. 24
Posted on 9 March 2010
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Tuck (The King Raven Trilogy) by Stephen R. Lawhead
The Myth of a Christian Religion: Losing Your Religion for the Beauty of a Revolution by Gregory A. Boyd
Over The Anvil We Stretch by Anis Mojgani
The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
Justification: God’s Plan by N. T. Wright
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Everyone struggles with this, right? I do. If we look honestly at our motivations for doing various things, there is likely a strong link between desire for acceptance from others and our feelings of self worth, giving priority to that “me I pretend to be”. Everything from what we wear, who we are friends with, avoidance of situations in which we may be embarrassed, etc.
This is one of the levels of Maslow’s Self Actualization description of human motivation. I think the above quote parallels the higher of the two levels of human self esteem needs. Working towards a self esteem free of dependence on what others think of you, but based on inner confidence and respect – the “me I want to be”.
It’s definitely a journey towards a destination we may never reach. But when I see those old “I don’t give a crap what anyone thinks” guys at the gym wearing tight spandex biker shorts, high-calf tube socks, or good old fashioned sweat pants, I think, “now, there are some guys that have made it!”