We all have epiphanies every once in a while. A time when all the answers suddenly seem to fall into place, when the dove of wisdom decides to alight on your shoulder and next thing you know, you KNOW. You finally UNDERSTAND. That elusive mystery? That pestering problem that you had been scrutinizing for the past few weeks / months / years? Solved. Just. Like. That.I’ve had an epiphany this week. It’s not profound, but at the same time it’s something we don’t really take into account, consciously. We take it for granted, and because of that we miss its significance, how it affects everyone and every single relationship we’ve had or will ever have.

The revelation? We’re all children.

That’s it. We are ALL children. Every single one of us. We might CALL ourselves adults, but we’re not. At least, not without a considerable amount of effort.

Look at a child. They’re selfish by nature. They know what THEY want – to do, to eat, to own, to play with. Their world revolves around them, and we as parents don’t always make it easy. We either cater to their every whim, reinforcing their narcissism, or we swing the pendulum the other way and neglect their needs, not recognizing how truly dependent they are on us.

Now, look at your typical adult. Unless he’s specifically been taught otherwise or taken it upon himself to redefine Who He Is, he’s a selfish dolt. In everything he does.

Hey, he’s got a better car than I do! I want that!

I need more money. More more more!

I don’t like you anymore. You make me feel bad. I hate you.

I want someone who makes me feel good. Me! Me! Me!

That was MY parking space, dammit! I’ll kill you! I WILL KILL YOU!

See my point?

We’re all inherently selfish and, as a result, we are all just like children. Only we’re trapped in these bizarre, hairy bodies. And unless we embark on the hidden path of Consideration and Respect for Others, we’re following the other lemmings off the cliff. Jumping with mindless glee, because it’s all we know, all we’ve been taught.

I’m here to encourage you to stop the spin cycle. Stop the madness. Today don’t just think about what YOU need to do and accomplish. Think about how you can help someone else, ANYONE else. Break free of your childish chains and genuinely LOVE someone else. Completely. Sacrificially.

It’s not easy, but considering the alternative, I think it’s well worth the effort.

We’re not alone out there. We have to live with other people every day. Every single day we will either choose to get along with those around us, or to think only about ourselves and what WE need to be happy. To compromise our goals and needs with those around us, or to stick our piggish heads in the sand and throw a tantrum until whatever offends us goes away. (You laugh, but you KNOW people like this. Heck, you’ve probably worked for them. Or are still working for ‘em…)

So I leave you with this one directive. It’s simple, it’s to-the-point and it’s something we all need to hear in this Me-Centric Society we’re a part of.

Grow Up.

______________________

1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child,

I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”