Our behaviour is an extension
Of who we are inside,
Sometimes it’s a pretension
That’s motivated by our pride.
We live to impress people
More often than we think
And depending on their demand,
We can rise or even sink.
If they are of good character
We would most likely rise
But if they are contrary,
It may result in moral demise.
Our behaviour is projected
Since we often want to impress,
And in our minds, we believe
This helps us to progress.
Since getting on with our lives
Is our selfish ambition
We are consumed from early
With personal aspirations.
We determine everyday
What we want our viewers to know
And pretty often what they see
Is our little Hollywood show.
And, this is not unnatural,
In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite,
It is the fallen nature of man
That drives this daily habit.
Notice I’ve been saying “our”,
Meaning, I am also included,
I am not merely pointing fingers;
I am not that deluded.
I have seen myself in you
And this is mainly by observation,
It’s what you wanted me to see;
It’s your behavioural projection.
So that when I criticize you
I am criticizing me
And when I am annoyed with you
It is also me I see.
We all project behavior:
The type we want the world to see,
To propel us in our ambition
To be who we want to be.
Even born-again believers
Yes! Therein is our struggle:
To impress our important others
As we live within our bubble.
A bubble it is; that is self!
And thus, it’s so easily inflatable,
Albeit, deceptive and illusory
And misleadingly unreliable.
Self-centred and self-seeking
Self-absorbed and self-assured,
Self-fulfilment our goal
Self-expression the ultimate lure.
Our behavior is self-driven
It is what we want to achieve,
It is influenced by our leaders:
Especially who we believe.
It may not be who we are
But whom we want to please,
Hence, a delusion of ourselves
That makes for greater ease.
So, when you see me in action
It might not be really me
But just the type of behaviour
That I presently want you to see.
Stewart Russell © July 2020
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