be yourself

I had dinner last night with the guys who organise the annual meditation conference in Melbourne. They do a fantastic job and this year's event had a line up of inspiring speakers and some great workshops. I was invited along last night to brainstorm about next year's event which was flattering...and fun. It's not often that I get to go out to dinner with four men!

Just as we were leaving, Matt from Melbourne Meditation Centre showed me a poem called 'Be Yourself' which is a lighthearted little piece about just being you.

Be Yourself
You must learn that you cannot be loved by all people
You can be the finest apple in the world - ripe, juicy, sweet,
succulent - and offer yourself to all.
But you must remember that there will be people who do not like apples.

You must understand that if you are the world's finest apple, and
someone you love does not like apples, you have the choice of becoming a banana.
But you must be warned that if you choose to become a banana
you will be a second-rate banana.
But you can always be the finest apple.

You must also realise that if you choose to be a second-rate banana.
There will be people who do not like bananas.
Furthermore,
You can spend your life trying to become the best banana -
which is impossible if you are an apple
- or you can seek again to be the finest apple.

(Unknown)