Nature or nurture? Prewiring or rewiring? Genetics or experiences?
Does it really matter? Isn’t the who more important than the how?
How ironic that regardless of the answer to this unanswerable,
my parents do share the credit (and the blame?) for who I’ve become:
core beliefs, values, attributes, seeds planted in the soil of childhood,
cultivated and nourished by teaching, modeling, and discipline.
So significant, but not the only factors at work molding,
shaping my inner being, my very essence as a person.
Decades of life, experiences, challenges,
relationships- producing attributes that define me today.
My faith is foundational, I strive to live out my life
in alignment with Biblical values, Christ in me,
knowing that when I die, it’s not the end.
I will continue to live for eternity.
Honesty, the attribute probably most valued,
always requires the truth from me and from others.
Loyalty to the people, causes, and groups
I hold in high esteem; 65-year friendships bear witness.
Humor, very much a part of who I am, always
believing laughter to be the best medicine for life.
Respect for others, acceptance of differences,
diversity embraced, kindness and compassion practiced.
Dependable, keeping commitments, following through,
and keeping deadlines: what I promise, I will do.
Generosity, a work in progress, more often
bestowed now, but still often falling short.
Other attributes, valued, but underdeveloped
to full potential, a pledge to persevere.
“He made my mouth like a sharp sword” holds too true,
constantly pursuing greater self-control.
Grace received, but often not extended.
Patience is a virtue, but sorely lacking.
Worry, a lifelong companion, a thorn in my side,
a continual effort to trust God more.
A struggle to remember that the balance
tilts more to the positive than the negative.
The good news, the hope for the future:
there’s still time, tomorrow is a new day
for transformation, evolution, growth,
for becoming the person who hears,
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
— cmshingle
Does it really matter? Isn’t the who more important than the how?
How ironic that regardless of the answer to this unanswerable,
my parents do share the credit (and the blame?) for who I’ve become:
core beliefs, values, attributes, seeds planted in the soil of childhood,
cultivated and nourished by teaching, modeling, and discipline.
So significant, but not the only factors at work molding,
shaping my inner being, my very essence as a person.
Decades of life, experiences, challenges,
relationships- producing attributes that define me today.
My faith is foundational, I strive to live out my life
in alignment with Biblical values, Christ in me,
knowing that when I die, it’s not the end.
I will continue to live for eternity.
Honesty, the attribute probably most valued,
always requires the truth from me and from others.
Loyalty to the people, causes, and groups
I hold in high esteem; 65-year friendships bear witness.
Humor, very much a part of who I am, always
believing laughter to be the best medicine for life.
Respect for others, acceptance of differences,
diversity embraced, kindness and compassion practiced.
Dependable, keeping commitments, following through,
and keeping deadlines: what I promise, I will do.
Generosity, a work in progress, more often
bestowed now, but still often falling short.
Other attributes, valued, but underdeveloped
to full potential, a pledge to persevere.
“He made my mouth like a sharp sword” holds too true,
constantly pursuing greater self-control.
Grace received, but often not extended.
Patience is a virtue, but sorely lacking.
Worry, a lifelong companion, a thorn in my side,
a continual effort to trust God more.
A struggle to remember that the balance
tilts more to the positive than the negative.
The good news, the hope for the future:
there’s still time, tomorrow is a new day
for transformation, evolution, growth,
for becoming the person who hears,
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
— cmshingle
Lovely!
ReplyDelete--Babs