A Better Me?

A better me? I wonder what a better me would look like? I guess it's not hard to wonder. A little self-reflection would reveal that a better me would be a kinder me. It would be more empathetic. It would put the needs of others first before itself. It would be introspective. It would be more conscious of its own faults and not nitpick on the faults of others.

A better me would be more sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate. It would not ignore a street beggar for fear of bringing unwanted attention to itself. It would give of its time and resources to the poor, the distressed and the helpless. It would do charity without publicity. It would give without reservation, live without ostentation and love without conditions. It would understand the needs of others as more important than its own.

A better me would be patient with the flaws of others. It would listen more than it wants to be heard. It would wait longer for people to change for the better. It would judge less, understand more and forgive more. A better me would wish for the best for others and celebrate their milestones in life. It would learn to be genuinely happy for the successes of others and sincerely share with their failures. It will not gloat. It will not be envious. Neither will it commiserate. In all things, it would be considerate.

A better me would also be a gentler me. It would be careful with its words. It would spare a thought for the feelings of others. It would not say things for fun, for pleasure or for a good laugh at the expense of others. A better me would control its tongue and not use it to boast about itself or its own achievements. A better me would choose words to encourage rather than words to discourage. It would be in touch with its own feelings and communicate with the aim to foster greater understanding, deeper relationship and closer fellowship.

A better me is a lesser me. Lesser in the ways of self. It would gradually decrease so that others will ultimately increase. It would learn to bless others with whatever it has. It would divorce itself from greed, from opulence, and from pride. It would live a measured life, defined by timeless principles and derived from biblical enrichments. It would learn to starve its appetites in order to feed its spirit. It would be mindful of things unseen and put its trust in things eternal instead of putting all its eggs in one worldly basket.

A lesser me is also a leaner me. It seeks to live longer and healthier for the sake of others, especially loved ones. It eats better, exercises regularly and enjoys life more. It doesn't take things too seriously and will always see the lighter side of things. It makes hay while the sun is out, dances with silly abandon in the rain and walks barefoot on the beach. A leaner me will always seek to contribute to the good will and betterment of others and understand that growth cannot come without discipline, industry and consistency.

A better me is a forward looking me. It is hopeful, prayerful and at most times, thoughtful. It will not allow failures to become final. Neither will it allow successes to become terminal. A better me knows better. It knows that failures are stepping stones, mistakes are life's lessons and death is inevitable. It looks to hope in the future and is guided by experiences in the past. It treasures every moment of the present and learns to live one day at the time. It is realistic to its chances but is nevertheless motivated to do better. Because a better me believes in a better future, it sees the past as soil, the present as seeds and the future as harvest.

Finally, a better me is a wiser me. It is wise to overlook more than it overreacts. It sees the long arc of a man's life and judges the fruits of his labor rather than the labor of his lips. A wiser me understands sorrow and the imperfection of men. More importantly, it understands its own imperfections. It knows with hindsight that the mirror of truth tells the inescapable pain in every life, including its very own. And as such, every life is never beyond redemption. If given the time and the opportunity, a wiser me knows that people will change. With enough love, hope and attention, they will all change for the better. And that's what makes a wiser me a better me.

When all this adds up, I guess a better me would be a happier me. The kinder, gentler, lesser, leaner and wiser me would make me a lighter me. Shed of the emotional baggages and the past deadweights, the better me would travel light with less worries and more hope. It would no doubt understand that life is difficult. Sometimes, it is even tough and seemingly insurmontable. Yet, the better part of me would remain steadfast to the end with feet firmly on the ground, hip balanced and shoulders squared off to meet and overcome all of life’s challenges ahead.

So a better me is not hard to imagine. All it takes is more deliberation and less procrastination. Sure, it is a slow and steady process. But imagine this with me. If all of us take steps to be a better me, then this world cannot help but be a better place for all to be. Cheerz.