Now You Crave Recognition but the Keys to the City Went Missin'

For those of you who read the comment on yesterday's post, you noticed that there is no an extra treat on my Blog. Yes, that's right folks, Coleman Greer Griffith will be posting his thoughts and ideas free of charge in the comment section of my blog each day. Cole is currently throwing his hat, or should I say mitre, in the ring for the honor of succeeding Pope Benedict XIV in the papacy. I think everyone will thoroughly enjoy Cole's musings, and if you don't, I take no responsibility for them whatsoever.

Current Listening: "Before These Crowded Streets"--Dave Matthews Band

At the SA Retreat during my sophomore year, Randy Harris came and spoke to us about learning how to deal with the inherent highs and lows that exist in holding office in a democratic system. He titled his message "How to Deal with Jerks without getting Jerked Around." The point that I have always remembered from that talk was the idea that the more that you know who you are, the less that people's criticisms and attacks bother you.

I don't think he was trying to advocate a stubborn adherence to ideas that are obviously incorrect simply to hold yourself in high regard, but he did seem to advocate the position that once you learn that your personal worth and identity is not tied up in your ideas and accomplishments, the more at peace you will be if people try to attack those ideas and accomplishments.

Why do I write about this? I know that there will never be this self-actualizing level where I am completely at peace with whatever people say about me, but by placing myself in a vulnerable position by running for office, I think I have learned to look inside myself, decide what I truly believe in, and feel secure in my self and my positions. This journey towards an understanding of self will never be truly complete, but it is always nice to see progress.