Esse Quam Videri

      Esse quam videri is fancy language used by lots of clubs and other organizations which means "to be", rather than "to seem(to be)". It really is a good motto. It is something that I use a lot as motivation to do some of the unsavory responsibilities of a husband, dad, teacher, or any of my other titles. Somewhere in the early part of the 20th century, people started thinking that it is a lot easier to look like we're doing something than to actually do said something. It is easier, I guess. Let's call it what it really is: taking the easy way out. We get so caught up in worrying about what people think of us that we do things that make us look better, not actually make us better. I have read some really stupid things in magazines. One said(to women) to wear your hair to work wet and carry your things in a gym bag to make it appear that you have been to the gym. What? Aren't people going to notice when her gym clothes get bigger because she's not really going? I also read once to put books around your house so people will think that you read. I'm sure talking to this person will be enlightening. We've made our lives more about what people think about us than what we actually live for. Why doesn't girl number one actually go to the gym and people will know that she goes to the gym. Maybe person number two should actually read a book.
       We spend way to much time appearing to be something. Let's be that something. What have you wasted time "appearing" to do? Take some time today to think about this topic. Whatever image you want to project should take care of itself. So instead of spending time trying to mislead people, spend some time actually working on whatever it is you love. It takes hard work to get the things you want. It seems now that we're so afraid to work that we get caught up in working to get out of things. There are certain things you absolutely can not have in life without work. Think about a farm. If a farmer gets lazy, he can't make it seem like his farm is operating at a high level. He can't wait until the harvest to plant his crops. He has to do the work. If he doesn't, he fails. This leads me to another reason people would rather appear, than be. You might fail. Failure is an option we like to take away from kids. If you don't learn to deal with failure, you get good at never trying. What kids should learn is that it is ok to fail. It is part of life. I love to watch my daughter succeed at something after failing to do it a few times. The customary yell "I did it" is one of the best things in the world. What if I did it for her or helped her too much? I'm sure I do that sometimes, but I know she has to learn to deal with struggle.
      Today, think about what YOU want in life. Not what you what people to think you want out of life. Be strong, don't just buy smaller t-shirts. Read a book, don't just throw one on the table. Talk to God, don't just have the bumper sticker. These things are hard to do. If you do them though, people will know you are what you say you are and they will respect you because you don't have to pretend. Esse Quam Videri.

God Bless,

Seth