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"Dear Me"
Off the Wall
May 29, 2008
We often look at others and easily see the "speck"
in their eyes, but fail to see the log in our own. Criticism
of others is easy. Failure to see our own weakness is not only
so much harder, but some may deny they even have it.
One way to determine one's make-up is to actually
sit down and write oneself a letter. State the positives and
the negatives, explaining why one feels the way he does about
each attribute. This will not only help clarify the writer's
understanding of himself, but also realize what he must do to
improve the little things in life that may be pulling him down,
or, in another sense, help him see that he just may be a bit
arrogant and think he is "too big for his britches."
So, the following is a fictitious letter one might
compose. It reads as such:
"Dear Me,
How are you? I am fine (the usual opening of any
letter). At least I think I am OK, but I am not entirely sure
about that.
I'll start off by saying I am one of six kids. I
have four brothers and one sister. My brothers all went to college
on athletic scholarships. They graduated, found jobs and all
are happily married. My sister found a soul mate at a very young
age, got coupled and is a happy homemaker with two kids. I am
33, kind of good looking, but still single. I don't know why
guys don't like me. I'm a nice person, at least I think so. I
don't date much, because I know how all men think, and I don't
want to fall into a trap where guys will take advantage of me.
When I look at myself in the mirror, I remember
how thin I used to be. The boys in school used to call me "string
bean," because my arms and legs were so thin. Now, look
at me. I have changed so much. I am so pudgy now.
Sometimes I really get depressed and feel down.
I really got bummed when my cat died. Snow was my all time
favorite pet. When it nudged up to me, I felt loved. Maybe that
is my problem. Since mom and dad passed away five years ago,
I am having a hard time grasping the fact that others might love
me. I know God loves me and that is sure great to know. It helps
makes each passing day a little bit easier.
Every so often my brothers telephone me, and that is nice.
I rarely call them, for I feel I am interfering with activities
in their life and don't want to bother them. Besides, if they
ask how I am doing, I'm afraid I just may be pressured into telling
them how I feel, and I don't want to burden them with my
troubles or feel sorry for me.
Everything is going well at work, except my supervisor
likes to boss me around, and I hate that. I know it is her job
to instruct me to do my job, but I feel she could do it another
way. I guess I just have to take it, and leave it at that.
Life as a whole could be better. I guess I could make
improvements if I really tried. That's it. Maybe I'll try doing
more positive things and leaving the "downers" go.
Could it be, a guy just might be attracted to me after all? Think
I'll give it a try.
Thanks for being my pen pal.
Love, Sarah"
What is the message one gets upon reading this letter?
Does the person feel happy about life, or pulled down by it?
Are things going well, or is there room for improvement?
One can learn a lot just by writing himself noting the
ups and downs in life, and then making proper adjustments. Why
not try it if one feels so led? You may learn something.
Paul J. Volkmann
1544 Ligonier St.
Latrobe, PA 15650
724-539-8850
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