DON’T CHANGE

52

DON'T CHANGE

I was a neurotic for years.

Anxious, depressed, selfish.

And everyone kept telling me to change.

And I resented them, and agreed with them, and wanted to change, but simply couldn't, no matter how I tried.

What hurt the most was that, like the others, my closest friend kept urging me to change.

So I felt powerless and trapped.

One day he said "Don't change.

I love you as you are."

Those words were music to my ears:

"Don't change. Don't change.

Don't change... I love you as you are."

I relaxed. I came alive.

And, suddenly, I changed!

Now I know that I couldn't really change till I found someone to love me whether I changed or not.

Is this how you love me, God?

THE SONG OF THE BIRD

Anthony de Mello S. J.