You Don’t Have to Earn Your Place Here

In this era of self-appointed experts and social media influencers, it’s interesting to consider what we truly know, what we’re truly experts about, and who we truly influence.

Just last night I was discussing this idea of being an expert with my therapist. There’s so much pressure these days to be somebody of note. Someone who has influence over vast swaths of the population. Who can say, yeah… I’m the expert who they come to about _______.

But with all the changes that happen on a constant basis, all over the world, among people with vastly different points of view, isn’t it more likely that none of us are experts? That none of us is the authority? These were the questions I was discussing with my therapist.

In truth, I believe we can only hope to become experts of ourselves. Even then, it’s easy to miss aspects of our own inner workings that give insight into why we tick the way we do.

Maybe it’s less important to consider what we know, and it’s more important to develop a willingness to learn more – to be an eager and perpetual non-expert.

There are certain professions in which we all desire a well-versed practitioner. Doctors, car mechanics, lawyers, to name a few. But even in these instances, change is inevitable.

Culture forever evolves, and we can tend to forget that we’re standing in running water.

But all devils advocates aside, in pondering things I know, I have to be honest: I don’t know much. But I think the Beatles had it right when they sang, “all you need is love.” Not necessarily romantic love, or even love for a family member or a dear friend. That’s implied. But what we need is a love towards ourselves and our towards our enemies.

If we all loved a little more, and worried about how we are perceived by others a little less, I think we’d live in a vastly different place.

We don’t have to prove ourselves to deserve love. But often its not until we let go of that need to cling to love, that we can uncover our innate capacity to love, and recognize its true nature.

When we can let go of our judgements, our desire for control, our anger and fear, love will be waiting for us… dusty perhaps, but always there.

This is what I know. Love comes in many forms and when we’re able to stop looking for it, and just relax into it, all of our needs, wants, dreams, and desires will follow.

I may not know much, and I’m certainly no expert. But this I believe to be true.

Inspired by one of Kasia Avery’s art journal advent calendar prompts.

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