Rising above the need

I ran across this excerpt today and thought I would share it with you all (if there's anyone who reads these things). As a student, friend, campus liason, youth leader, employee, and family member I find that I undertake a lot of tasks that are at times too overwhelming. Most of the things that I do are "busy work" and part of the problem is that I love being active in every environment that I am in.

This year has been particularly time-consuming given that I am graduating and had accummulated responsibilities from the past 4 years here. I am a person that needs to feel in control of situations because I sometimes do not trust others to make or put enough efforts as I do. I have, however, slowly learned "let go" of some of my responsibilities to give way to my priorities. Although those were hard decisions to make it was for the best because this semester I have had more flexibility to pursue areas of my life that are important and am getting ready to begin the rest of my life. Uncertainty troubles me at times, but in a way I become much more optimistic because it means that the future I ave dreamed out for myself is nothing compared to the wonders that await me and the people that will be around it...

So read the excerpt below and tell me what you think. What thoughts are rushing through your head? What do you value and what are you afraid of? I'm ready to rise above the need

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Rise above the need
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Instead of focusing so intently on what you can get, consider
What you can let go.
Lighten your load and become more
Nimble, peaceful and powerful.

Some of the things you so desperately think you need, you do
Not need at all.
As your needs diminish, your freedom and
Richness grow.
There's nothing you must have in order to be.
Devote some of
Your life to simply being, and know the liberation that
Comes from letting go of yourself.

Ambition, intention and disciplined effort will bring you
Much in this world.
Always remember, though, that there is
More to life than the success the world confers.
When you act out of need you will struggle from a position
Of weakness.

Rise above the need, and you are free to
Achieve without limitation.
Remember that fulfillment is not about getting all that you need.
Fulfillment is knowing the freedom to be all that you are.

~~Ralph Marston