“Practical experience has now convinced me of this: the concept of holiness which I had formed and applied to myself was mistaken. In every one of my actions, and in the little failings of which I was immediately aware, I used to call to mind the image of some saint whom I had set myself to imitate down to the smallest particular, as a painter makes an exact copy of a picture by Raphael. I used to say to myself: in this case St. Aloysius would have done so and so, or: he would not do this or that. However, it turned out that I was never able to achieve that I thought I could do, and this worried me. The method was wrong. From the saints I must take the substance, not the accidents of their virtues. I am not St. Aloysuis, nor must I seek holiness in his particular way, but according to the requirements of my own nature, my own character, and the different conditions of my life. I must not be the dry, bloodless reproduction of a model, however perfect…If St. Aloysius had been as I am, he would have become holy in a different way.”
– Pope John XXIII, Journal of a Soul: The Autobiography of Pope John XXIII
, January 16, 1903
A good reminder to keep my the first of my twelve Personal Commandments: Be Gretchen.
* If you haven't watched my one-minute movie, The Years Are Short, you might enjoy seeing that.
This is a wonderful perspective. The school at which I am doing my doctoral work focuses on a strengths-based philosophy which generally says we are each created with unique gifts and we should pour into those strengths in order to achieve the most. This affirms that need to fan the flame of who we are! Thank you!
Posted by: Elizabeth Wallace | June 14, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Hi:
Sometimes, peer pressure causes people to imitate too.
Posted by: hly | June 15, 2009 at 09:57 PM
The older I get, the more I see the need for me to be myself...and that being myself is not a bad thing, flaws and all. It was good to read the reminder--thanks Gretchen!
Posted by: Angela | June 16, 2009 at 08:34 AM
I've read through this piece a couple of times now, and it gets richer each time I do.
Thanks for posting this - it's a very powerful perspective. It's humbling to understand that even pope's have identity struggles!
Veronica
Moment-to-Moment Optimism
www.drrussbuss.com
Posted by: Veronica | June 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Life is a leaf of paper white, thereon each of us may write his word or two.
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