God Dares Me To Be Me

A friend of mine recently suffered complications from a surgical procedure and was kept in the hospital for 6 weeks. Her condition was touch-and-go and the doctors couldn’t guarantee she was going to make it. Like anyone in that situation, her perspectives on life were significantly affected.

I’m happy to report that she weathered the storm. While she still feels somewhat physically “broken,” that’s a big improvement from a few weeks ago. Since then, she’s been pondering, assessing, and reassessing her sense of self, her place in the world, and what truly matters. She recently posted this poem by playwright Rich Orloff, “God Dares Me to Be Me,” as its message strongly resonates with her.

“On one of those days
When the facade of my identity
Cracks under the pressure of living
God whispers to me:
I dare you to be you

Stop acting like a tulip pretending to be a rose
A rabbit trying to be a porcupine
A pancake pretending to be an omelet

There is a galaxy within you
Don’t reduce it to a smattering of stars
Rejoice in each glowing ember inside you
Befriend the ones lurking in dark shadows

I have placed within each human
Both an animal and the Divine
If you deprive yourself of either
You will never fully experience life

I created you to be you
Instead of an imitation of someone else

Enjoy the adventure of unlocking the mystery
Of the possibly glorious you”