Once upon a time a little Being was sitting by a stream…sighing, sad, and just a bit frightened. At that same moment, as the fates would have it, Solomon, the wise old owl, happened to be flying by just overhead.
During his many years of watching over the well-being of the forest for all the creatures living there, he had been of assistance in quite a few situations similar to this one. Solomon knew he could help this little Being… if she wished it. And so, with a turn of his head and a slight banking of his great wings, he swept down and landed, ever so lightly, alongside a small log upon which the little Being was seated.
To make sure his arrival wasn’t too startling, he began quietly speaking to her even before he’d finished folding back his wings.
What Is Making You Feel So Sad?
“My, my, little one,” he said in the most gentle tone, “What on earth could be making you feel so sad?”
But the little Being didn’t even look up from the ground, let alone speak. So Solomon just acted as though she had answered him, and continued on in a most congenial manner.…“Oh, yes,” he said. “Yes, for sure; I know exactly how you feel.”
Again he waited for her to at least acknowledge his presence — but still nothing.
“You know,” he said, “there are times when it helps to speak with a friend about one’s troubles… especially if that someone happens to know something about them…which…“ He paused just long enough to make sure he had her attention, “it just so happens, I do.”
All I Want Is To Be Happy with Myself...
Another moment passed between them, and then, ever so slowly, the little Being turned her head to look up at Solomon. Their eyes met, and he smiled into them. She must have seen something in his face, because she took a deep breath and started to speak.
“All i want is to be happy with myself. Is that asking for too much? The other creatures seem content with themselves, but this feeling never seems to last for me; something always comes along to spoil it.” And then, dropping her head into her little hands, she cried, “What on earth is wrong with me?”
“Nothing is wrong with you, little one. But, I do suspect — “
“Then why,” she interrupted, “do so many little things bother me? How come no one seems to understand or appreciate me for who I am? And then there’s this terrible need to prove myself to everyone, not to mention the fear that…“
Who Are You? What Is Your Name?
Solomon had heard enough. He stepped into her stream of thought, “Hold on just a moment, little one; let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If I’m to help you understand this sorrow of yours — as I'm pretty sure I can — then don’t you think we should introduce ourselves? Wouldn’t that be a good place to start?” And without waiting for her to agree, he said, “My name is Solomon… pleased to meet you! What’s yours?”
Realizing he was right, the little Being gathered herself and, sitting up straight, said in a small voice, “My name is Someone.”
“Really?” said Solomon. “Now isn’t that an interesting name! Was it given to you at birth?”
“I really don’t recall,” she said somewhat timidly. “But I don’t think so.”
“Then how did you come to be called Someone? Who gave it to you?”
His question took her by surprise. No one she’d ever met had asked her anything like that before.
I Didn't Know Who I Was... I Was Someone
“Actually, it’s all a little bit foggy, but one day I found myself wandering through some deep woods. I remember wondering at the time how I’d gotten there, and even who I was.”
Then, realizing how confused her story must sound to a complete stranger, she glanced up at Solomon to see his response. He didn’t seem surprised at all.
After a deep breath, she continued on: “It was right about then that I had the good fortune of bumping into a very helpful crow by the name of Magnus. He must have known me from some time or place before, because, when I told him of my confusion, he was kind enough to tell me my name.”
Managing a small smile, she looked up at Solomon, awaiting a smile in return. But, if he was happy, he sure wasn’t showing it.
“Hmm, yes… just as I suspected,” Solomon said in tones that troubled her.
“What does that mean?” said the little Being, slightly on the defensive.
“I think I see your problem. I know why you’ve been unable to get along with the other creatures, and what’s keeping you from being happy with yourself.”
The little Being wasn’t at all sure she liked where this conversation was headed. She had no interest in hearing Solomon remind her of what she already knew, but after a moment she went ahead and asked anyway. The unintended sarcasm in her own voice startled her.
“And just what would that be?”
You've Been Lied To... You Are Not Who You've Been Told
Solomon paused, choosing his words carefully. Finally, he replied in measured, gentle tones, “Little one, you’ve been lied to… about your name; it isn’t what you were told.”
Of all the answers she could have imagined, this was the least likely. She felt a jolt — a small shock — pass through her, and her heart raced in uneven beats. And then, catching her breath — that she hadn’t even noticed had gone missing — she swallowed hard and asked, “What on earth do you mean, I was lied to about my name? If my name isn’t ‘Someone’. . . then what is it?”
“Your real name is Everyone.”
©2011 by Guy Finley.
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Weiser Books,
an imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. www.redwheelweiser.com
Article Source:
The Seeker, The Search, The Sacred: Journey to the Greatness Within
by Guy Finley.
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About The Author
Guy Finley is the best-selling author of over 40 books and audio albums on self-realization. He is the founder and director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for self-study located in southern Oregon where he gives talks four times each week. For more information and to download Guy’s Free 60-minute MP3 “Five Simple Steps to Make Yourself Fearless,” visit http://www.GuyFinley.org/kit
Watch a video and Interview with Guy Finley on the topic of "who we are".
Watch another video: Perfect Every Moment With This Single Purpose
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