Welcome home, prodigal self. There’s a story in the Bible
about a son who took off with all of the blessings his dad gave him. His
brother was really jealous because he stayed behind as the responsible one. The prodigal,
however, took off and had a great time, but ultimately rendering himself broke,
hungry and without adequate shelter.
He came to the end of himself. He made the brave decision to
go home. As the story is told, the father saw him coming back from out in the
distance and decided to throw a party.
Many of us have been the prodigal in our own lives and have
had a tendency to punish ourselves time and time again without ceasing. We
drive us to the end of ourselves. Then, in a very narcissistic but
self-imposing way we cry why is my life
such crap? How did I get here? Is it ever going to get better?
How about this. What if, you saw yourself, your prodigal
self that is, off in the distance and you decided to throw yourself a party.
Just as the biblical version tells it. Pull out the fine red robe, the signet
ring, the fatted calf! All of it! Because you know what? When you’ve been to
the end of yourself and you survive it – it’s worth a party.
The journey to the center of our birth, as my prior January
post explains, is a long and sometimes treacherous road. It very rarely goes as
planned and for most of us, there are lots of bumps and bruises (and maybe a
few stitches and broken bones) along the way. So, when you make it back, you’ve
earned a celebration.
What if I have no one
to greet me, you think? YOU are there, are you not? That’s the only
greeting you really need. After all,
no one knows the details of the journey quite like you.
Listen, all I’m suggesting is that you treat yourself like
the royalty you ARE, instead of adopting the idea of what you think you ought
to be. Every one of us is a diamond in the rough. The number of cuts in a
diamond determines the glisten. Well, there are never going to be enough “cuts”
to make what you perceive, but the “cuts”
you do have, the one’s that make you shine like the gem you are, you already
have them. Every last one, you earned them. Along your road, remember?
Anyone who says they are not a prodigal, or has not had a
prodigal experience is a liar. Or an alien.
Part of being a human being is coming to the end of yourself at certain times
in life. Then, having to figure out how to get back on track and move forward.
Let’s talk a minute about the prodigal’s brother. He wasn’t
perfect either. Jealousy is not handsome (or pretty, ladies). It is possible part
of the reason you had a prodigal moment is because of rejection or neglect.
Maybe you got the short end of a sharp stick. It happens. We’re all prodigals.
We’re all humans (not aliens). So, when you turn to go back home, if you’re met
with a negative Nate or Nellie, just walk on by.
The robe is yours to wear, the signet ring is your size and
is yours to wear. The fatted calf has been prepared with sides and desserts, in
your honor. Eat, drink and celebrate. You made it back. Now, shine on you crazy
diamond.
