The Journey Home to Our True Selves: Grow more by losing more
But it’s a sad man my friend who’s livin’ in his own skin And can’t stand the company.
Better Days Bruce Springsteen
We are surrounded by stories and symbols of metamorphosis: the caterpillar morphing into a butterfly; the tiny acorn growing into a vast oak tree; Odysseus’ return home to Ithaca in Homer’s Odyssey. Each of these narratives tells the story of a journey home to a destined identity—and always requires the shedding of something that is not a part of that ultimate identity.
Herein lies an essential lesson for our own growth as men in God’s image: Personal transformation is not about addition – it’s about subtraction. It’s a clear paradox: to reach our destined identity —the imago dei often called the True Self—we have to lose the protective layer—the Adaptive Self—which we have built up since early childhood.
Growth is about becoming more self-aware of the skins we are living in—protective outer layers which have been critical to our safety and survival up to a point—but which no longer serve us and in fact stand in the way of our leadership and growth.
If you’ve ever felt like Springsteen’s man “livin’ in his own skin who can’t stand the company,” join us for The Journey Home to Our True Selves.
Our guide for this event, Bill Marquard, who has traversed and wrestled with his own transformational journey of shedding, is a global business executive and an Elder with Illuman of Illinois.
This event is offered without charge, however a free will offering is encouraged.