My Inside Versus Your Outside

What a great reminder I had today. This is something, without thinking about, I know I periodically do! How about you?
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, yet publishers spend a fortune to create great covers. As a person, for years, I did all I could to create a great exterior, and fell far short in effort on the interior.
Today, I still try to take care of myself, dress appropriately, look after my hygiene and so on. I certainly spend far more time than ever did on things inside. By that I mean things spiritual, the source of life I found that lives within me; and I’m sure lives within each of us. When awakened, I found a source of strength within that I had shut out, so work on the inside is top priority.
That being said, I periodically find myself comparing.
There are many people I run into that look like they’ve really got it together. Their in great shape, they handle everything with apparent ease, nothing bothers them, they have the right clothes and “style”, and so it goes. We all meet them, and for me, there are times that I judge the book by its cover and say man, don’t I wish! Human nature.
In the life I’ve had the privilege of leading, and the work I do now, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of meeting a lot of successful people, and famous people, on a fairly global basis. Some really do have their stuff together, and the inside is as good as, or in many cases, better than the outside. It is easy to genuinely admire, and more importantly respect.
There are numerous luminaries I’ve met who were, on the inside, empty vessels. Scared, insecure and neurotic. Nothing to respect, all show and no go. Yet from a distance, I felt that I was less than. I think we all can relate to this. The inside is not what the outside looked to be.
I certainly have had the experience of looking at the outside, and staying away. Then I’ve had the opportunity over time to get to know the person, and they are wonderful compassionate human beings. Yet in comparing my inside to their outside, I could have missed the richness of knowing them.
Only I truly know my inside, and I try to keep it fit on a daily basis.
I am wrong to compare who I am to people I meet. On my journey, my responsibility is to be comfortable in my own skin, and not compare me to “you”.
As I’ve trudged the road to happy destiny, I have become comfortable with who I am on the inside. I have a set of principles I try to practice in all my affairs, and realize to that I have defects of character and will never be a candidate for a medal for perfection.
My insides are OK, and I must learn to not compare to others exterior! Read the book Keith; read the book.
We are heading into a long weekend here in Canada. I will be journaling in my book, but not in this forum for a few days. I know from the comments I get that some people read my ramblings regularly.
This will be a weekend spent out of town with family. My grandson has learned to skate, and wants me to skate with him. That will be interesting! It will be good to just get away May the spirit within each of you grow on a daily basis, and love your inside, don’t compare what is the unique you to anyone’s outside!
Quick thanks to my friend Igor who is redoing my website, www.hopeserenity.ca. It’s great to work with a highly creative young man and I look forward to the new product!!