Becoming

Becoming

In Florence, Italy, along one of its inviting and captivating streets, people can visit the Accademia Gallery. Inside is one of the most beautiful sculptures in the world, Michelangelo’s David. When I walked into the room and witnessed this masterpiece, it brought tears to my eyes. The presence, the spirit, and the intricacies of the work are breathtaking. Michelangelo was asked about his work and the process he used in creating such magnificent art. He said, “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” On another occasion, he said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”

The same can be said about us as human beings. At the core of each of us is something of great value. It’s already there! Over time and through experiences, our authentic selves can be revealed. Becoming what we are created to be is a time-intensive process. It takes a firm belief that beauty and purpose lie within each of us. Then, we must commit to the required work. We have to be willing to let go of all the surface layers that hide who we really are. We have to lay aside all of the distorted and misguided perceptions and beliefs that blind us from seeing our radiant selves. It is true that the chiseling and forming necessary to get to our core essence is at times painful and intense. However, without this difficult work, we will remain incomplete and unfulfilled.

So, are we willing to believe that each of us is worthy and important? Are we willing to embrace the work of letting go of all the things we are not, to become all that we are meant to be? If so, we will find the priceless work of art we are that has been there from the start.