Laying on a bed are two sets of clothing.  One set is comfortable.  It feels soft, is breathable, and you are able to move around with ease in it.  However, you know that the style is not to everyone’s liking.  People don’t comment how good it looks on you.  The other set is not comfortable at all.  It’s tight, itchy, and if you try to move in it a certain way, the clothes may rip.  But man, do people think you are the hottest looking thing on two legs in them.  So which one do you wear? 

Choosing clothes is a lot like choosing what we do in life.  Often times we choose on the side of what people say is best for us as opposed to what we want.  And these choices happen everyday.  What to wear, what to eat, what to say...the list goes on. 

Here are some things to question though.  Does what you do bring you peace?  Does it bring you happiness? 

I have found that in my life, and in many others I know, we do things to please other people.  Not in the good, “I’m helping others” way, but in the selfish “I must save my ego” kind of way.  Basing our actions on what others would want us to do.  Even if it is totally against what we feel in our hearts, we would rather live life impressing others.  Worse yet, trying to avoid being disapproved by others.

I can remember being in high school, just walking around trying to do the “right” thing.  Following the crowd and being just like everyone else.  If someone decided to be different or look different, they would be relegated as an outsider and strange.  Not worthy of being acknowledged, unless it was to be made fun of.  But looking back, it didn’t give me any happiness.  All it did was prevent me from being disapproved.  In reality, I was just a face in a crowd.  Not disapproved of, but certainly not special.  A lot of us today still have that high school mentality. 

My last year in high school was my favorite year because I started doing things that I liked.  I got into speech, debate, some drama….getting in front of others and performing.  I had found a path to my passion.  It definitely wasn’t the coolest thing to do in the eyes of my peers.  I got some very distasteful looks and comments on it.  But I also found others who loved what I was into.  People who understood and helped me strive to get better at the things we were doing.  Doing what was my hearts desire opened opportunities for me.  I led the school in the pledge of allegiance over the p.a. announcements, winning awards for my oratory skills, and I even gave the opening prayer at our graduation.  Now, I know to some, those things may not appear cool.  But to me, they were. 

Even after learning this lesson, I still have problems in this area.  It can be hard not to care what other people think.  I have to constantly ask myself, “Am I doing this because others tell me to do it, or because I want to do it?”  Once I have this answer, I have to press on and do what my heart tells me to.  It can be daunting, but you have to have courage and confidence in yourself to do what you believe is right.

Once you start following your own path, something inside of you begins to change.  You become more easygoing, less stressed out, and more likeable.  Have you ever noticed how grouchy you are when you do something that you really don’t want to?  Say for instance, you really have a craving for mexican food but your friends want to eat seafood.  Well you could go on and eat mexican food by yourself, but you have the feeling you would probably be ridiculed for not going with your friends.  So, being the good hearted person you are, you give up your wants for the good of the group.  Now, how do you suppose you’d feel while eating something you didn’t want in the first place?  Not too happy, I would imagine.  Sure, you’re not disapproved of, but man you’re no picnic to be around.  I know I wouldn’t be. 

Now understand, I’m not saying you shouldn’t do for others.  But if you’re going to be unpleasant in doing whatever it is, don’t bother doing it until your mind’s at peace.  No one wants to be around a grouch.  It defeats the whole purpose of giving of yourself.  It’s like the clothing you wear that others think look great but feels uncomfortable to you.  While it’s what everyone likes to see, the scratching, and itching, and tightness of it all makes you want to scream.  Your ego isn’t scathed, but your heart is.  You’re not at your best doing what others want you to do.

Also – this isn’t saying to do what your heart wants if you want to hurt others.  You shouldn’t go around yelling, cursing people, or doing much worse,  all because you feel like it.  Don’t go around breaking rules either (like at work).  You have to use good judgment.  As the Bible says, “Love one another, as you love yourself.”  And “Do unto others, as you would have done unto you.”

Here are some quick pointers about doing your heart’s desire.

·        Expect to make no one happy.  People have the same feelings that you do.  They easily succumb to the need to protect themselves from disapproval.   If you sense disapproval, then tell yourself what you’re doing is what you want to do.  The others can choose to not pay any attention to you if they don’t like it.  Besides, you can’t control anyone’s feelings.  It’s hard enough controlling your own.

·        If people do snicker and talk about you, realize that this person’s life must be pretty miserable to have to resort to talking negatively about you.  They can’t see the positive side of life.  Or maybe they are jealous of you’re ability to be carefree. 

·        Have you caught yourself being the one who’s negatively reacting about someone else’s desires?  Keep your opinions to yourself.  Accept the other person.  If you must say something, give constructive criticism.  Don’t be the reason why someone doesn’t follow their dreams.  Remember, that could be you later on in another circumstance.

·        We all will end up in the same place when life is said and done with.  Do you really want it to end by saying you lived your life living the way other people told you how to live it?

So – how will you choose your clothes today?

And if your’e true desires are to sing….

Then Sing like there’s no one else in the room!