Closing the Gap

Between the ME and the I/WE

Hey Grandma, Look at ME

Okay boys and girls, put on your hip waders, because we’re going out in the deep.

We all, every one of us, have a lot of growing up to do. Our individualism has gotten out of hand and we have forgotten that we are connected to one another and to everything.

There is no space between us and yet, we’d like to believe that we are our own self-made island in the middle of me and nothing and no one can touch us.

The self is social, we are a product of everyone and everything we’ve ever come in contact with.

The way we interact and evolve has an impact on the happenings and everyday world we see.

If we are to ever live as One, then we must all become one with our own self. 

We have to grow up.

In a model I’ve created for self-evolution, there are several stages of growth. In this space, I will discuss two of them; The Me and the I/WE.

We are all born into the Me stage. Everything is or should be about you. You can’t do for yourself and so you must rely upon the love, care, nurturing and kindness of others. Someone must bathe, feed, clothe and hold you. The last being so important; it enables us to be more human.

The more love you receive when you are a true Me, the easier you evolve into a mature You.

Somewhere around the age of 2; the stage we call Terrible Twos, occurs when a child tries to hold on to the Me. We often think that a child is striving for independence, but they are really trying to hold on.

The child wants to do for their self, and yet they want to be held and carried.

The struggle between being independent and connected begins this early.

Many adults are stuck in the Me stage. They want to be held, carried, told what to do and instructed.

The adult Me is a grown baby with adult-like demands. They throw tantrums and fits when they don’t get their own way and life forbid if they are wealthy or powerful.

The powerful Me uses everyone around them as toys to be played with. Everything is about, for and belongs to this immature adult. Too often, they are in positions of authority, because they are as good at manipulating as a crying baby is at getting you to wake up in the middle of the night.

By now, you may be thinking of a few folks who are adult Me’s.

But this is about and for you, and for me as well.

The I/We is a fully realized adult. They understand the power of I AM. They see their role, purpose and responsibility in life and they understand their connection to the rest of the world.

The dance between the self and the collective is beautiful and balanced and an I/We wouldn’t have it any other way.

The I/We understands that we don't just inhabit the universe; it also inhabits us.

We all have a bit of the Me that needs to grow up.

Look at the areas of your health, education, family, finances, work and community. How can you be more mature? How can you care for yourself and others? 

The world is waiting for you to evolve. We need we.

Bertice Berry, PhD.

Watch the conversation and hear the beautiful music that connects us all