In our culture we are inculcated with a desire to ‘Act’ and to ‘Accomplish.’ In our culture some of us think in terms of ‘great actions’ and ‘great accomplishments’ – in the 1960s, for example, the 20-somethings (of which I was one) wanted to change. . . make that ‘transform’. . .our society. Others are not so grandiose – they just want to build a house or write a book or invent something or just ‘win.’ Still others seem content to simply be of help to another; a simple ‘Act’ and a simple ‘Accomplishment.’
No matter where we reside on the ‘Act-Accomplish’ continuum it seems that we all think about ourselves in terms of the ‘contribution’ we make or are called to make. As we age we begin to reflect upon our ‘Acts’ and ‘Accomplishments’ and we experience a range of feelings when we do so (I have been doing a bit of this type of reflection). Our feelings range from ‘contentment’ to ‘frustration’ from ‘satisfaction’ to ‘sadness.’ We ask: ‘Is our/my world better because I have inhabited it?’ ‘What is the difference my actions and my accomplishments have made in our/my world?’
As I have mentioned in other postings, I am an ‘Ecumenical Christian.’ That is, I believe that all faith and humanist traditions have ‘truth’ and ‘value’ (for example, the ‘Golden Rule’ appears to be universal). As an Ecumenical Christian I am called to ‘comfort’ the other; I am called to be a peace-maker; I am called to ‘live’ the ‘Good News’ and I am called to ‘forgive’ seventy-times-seven. Simply stated: I am called to bring more ‘light’ than ‘darkness’ to the/my world.
I am not alone. I have experienced thousands of ‘faith-rooted’ and ‘humanist-rooted’ folks who are deeply rooted in a desire to serve others and to care for others – to bring more ‘light’ than darkness’ to the/their world. Their desire (and their ‘Actions’) are often a sign of mental and spiritual well-being. Because of my own ‘desire’ to serve and to care I also know that I can be hindered by – if not paralyzed by – a lack of positive self-esteem. What does this mean? For me (and I do not believe I am alone here) it means that not only do I have a desire to serve and to care in meaningful ways I also have made the ‘results’ of my serving and caring to be the criteria for my ‘self-esteem.’ My being ‘effective’ is more important than my being ‘faithful.’ At my worst (is this the correct word?) I ‘become my success.’
What does this mean? What are the implications?
Searcher-Seeker 
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