Expressive not Impressive
Making an Inner Demonstration
Roger: I can’t speak for other students, but people pleasing makes me dishonest. Like I want you to approve of me so much I start pretending.
Murshid: You can’t make a true demonstration without your true self. You’re trying too hard to be ‘impressive’ rather than ‘expressive.’ Living to impress comes from the outside, it’s an act. Living to express comes from within the heart.
A sad farmer, who read cynical books in his spare time, had a happy-go lucky donkey. Wanting to please his owner, the animal tried his best to match his mood, acting just as dejected. But in the barn at night this donkey entertained all his other animal friends by letting his jack-ass nature come out, kicking over cans and joking so much he cracked himself up with laughter. Back in the day, he returned to acting just as depressed as the man when plowing his fields.
‘I wish I could help reach happiness,’ thought the donkey, ‘but at least I’m matching his mood. Loyalty is important, and he knows I’m his true companion.’
One night, afraid he forgot to lock the barn, the farmer put down his cynical book and walked outside. Hearing the hysterical laughter, he started to forget his fear of someone stealing his animals. Peeking into the barn, he saw his donkey dancing like a fool. This made him forget all his reasons to remain so upset about the world.
Pin the tale: Where in your life do you find yourself trying too hard to “impress” others rather “expressing” your true nature?