Refusing to Sell Out

Recently reading Gerald Corey, I came across this statement:

The trouble with so many of us is that we have sought directions, answers, values, and beliefs from the important people in our world. Rather than trusting ourselves to search within and find our own answers to the conflict in our life, we sell out by becoming what others expect of us.

I know that this statement needs to be qualified. Our journey is not something we do alone. Finding answers means opening ourselves up to the broader world, seeking a good mentor, and trusting others. But I think Corey's statement carries a great truth...we find it hard to trust ourselves. And that is part of the journey.

Corey is advocating being true to yourself, to follow your dream instead of someone else's dream for you. That is true enough. Too often we let others determine what we would like or what we want in life.

Healthy balance is what I've found most helpful. Finding your true self is a life-long pursuit, and you need feedback to help you in this journey. We just don't need to hand over our whole task of discernment to another. We need to gradually build confidence in our own ability to discern, to find answers, to know what is best for ourselves. This is part of the spiritual journey. This is part of spiritual maturity.