Living from the inside out

Do you ever wish that your life was more fulfilling, or that you had the confidence to make the changes that you think you need? Are you one of the many people who are miserable most of the time and always looking for something to 'give you a lift'? So many of us spend so much time obsessing about our material possessions (Is it the latest fashion? Brand name? Will it impress my friends?) that we forget about who we are on the inside. Confidence cannot ever be found in the things that we possess - it is already inside us, even if it needs to be nurtured to grow stronger than it currently feels.

You probably know someone (it may even be yourself) who is always looking for life to improve by making a change in their outer environment. I came across this simple little story recently that illustrates this so well:

The Farmer and the stranger
A farmer was working in his field when a stranger walked along the road. The stranger stopped without a greeting and stated "I've been thinking of moving to this village, and was wondering what the villagers were like as neighbours".
"Well," said the farmer, "what are the neighbours like where you come from?"
"Not very nice", answered the stranger. "They are pretty unfriendly, mean and selfish. That's why I am looking to move".
"Well," said the farmer again, "I expect you'll find the same type of people in this village too...unfriendly, selfish and mean. You probably won't like it here."
The stranger shrugged his shoulders and walked off without saying goodbye.
A little while later, another stranger came along the road, and introduced himself, before asking a similar question about the villagers.
"What type of people live in your current village?" asked the farmer.
"Oh, they are really great people - generous, kind and really friendly. I will be really sorry to leave them behind, and hope they will come to visit me."
"Well" said the farmer, (using his favorite word), "I expect that you'll find the same sort of people here too - generous, kind and friendly. I am sure you would like it here."

(Story adapted from 'The Art of Confident Living' by Bryan Robinson ph.D)