I like to watch reruns of Saturday Night Live on the Comedy Channel. And every now and then, there's a sketch by Al Franken, who plays Stuart Smalley ("a caring nurturer and a member of several twelve step programs, but not a licensed therapist"). His motto: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!" Stuart, for all his experience in self-help, continually falls into "stinkin' thinkin'", living from crisis to crisis, ultimately finding a shallow sense of self-worth in his own affirmation - his motto. Truth is, I really did like Stuart; I saw in him my own need for acceptance reflected back.
Donald Miller ("Blue Like Jazz", "Searching for God Knows What") writes about comedian Tom Arnold, he of 12 Step recovery also. When asked what led him (Tom) to write his recent book "How I Lost 5 Pounds in Six Years" he (Tom) replied that he "wanted something out there so people would tell me they liked me. It's the reason behind almost everything I do." (read Donald Miller, if you haven't already; this quote is from "Searching for God Knows What", chapter 8).
I identify with Tom on that one. I wonder how it would be, to live without that need for affirmation, that fleeting acceptance which, frankly, seems - no, actually is - quite superficial. Whether it comes from within ourselves ("...and doggone it, people like me!") or outside ourselves, as evidenced by our popularity, our status, our wealth, beauty, achievements, etc. - it's all made of straw, isn't it?
(By the way, I really hope you're enjoying this new blogging adventure. I'm putting a lot of time and energy into it - a lot of myself - and it would mean a lot to me if you like it. If you like it, you'd probably like me, too!)
Someday, I hope that I'll actually believe the Gospel message that says that Jesus loves me, "Just As I Am", warts and all, period.
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3 comments:
I like experiencing a genuine feeling of accomplishment by making this comment and changing the number "0" to "1". Raw power. It makes me feel better about myself...and shows others what a can-do gal I am.
This message is not lost on me by any means. I am the daughter of the King...and when embracing that role first and foremost, the need for all other accolades faaaaaaaaades away. Just like that.
I once knew someone like you named Hootie Hoo. Strange name, but really good person. People always felt better about themselves after being around her. It's the same way with E.F. They're the kind of people one seeks out. And you don't even have to go to 12 step meetings to get affirmation or approval.
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