"You can take action now, that allows you to start living a better version of yourself. It defines a future that you want to work towards, and the achievements you want to accomplish." Kathy Spampinato

Becoming "your best self" is a cultural catch phrase, but what does it mean? Where does it take you? People are always changing and growing, and this phrase let's us determine the direction and the destination of our journey. We are the masters of our destiny, by way of our choices and reactions to life's challenges. We each have unique talents and abilities, but becoming your best self describes a journey of optimizing all areas of your life. You focus on what you want to achieve, and who you want to become. You can take action now, that allows you to start living a better version of yourself. It defines a future that you want to work towards, and the achievements you want to accomplish.

Psychology defines self-actualization as: the highest level of development, where personal potential is fully realized after basic bodily needs have been fulfilled. This sounds like a worthy ideal, but I would suggest that it has a major flaw, and that is the word SELF. When we are looking at life from the lens of self, we make choices that put ourselves first to the detriment of the desires and needs of all others. We become so focused on what we want, that we can lose perspective. "Take a look at some common words about self in our culture. We talk about our self-image, self-respect, self-assurance, self-confidence: being selfish, self-conscious, self-seeking, self-sufficient, self-controlled; being filled with self-righteousness, self-pity, self-sacrifice, self-indulgence, self-will, and being self-satisfied. The challenge of growing spiritually is revealed when we come to the end of ourselves and realize that 'our righteousness is as filthy rags' (from Isaiah 64:6)" (This quote is from my book, Spiritual Growth from the Inside to the Outside, Kathy Spampinato, 2018, Xulon Press.)

I would like to suggest that "our best self" is the realization of God's plan for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11-4a ESV "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes..."

Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

Ephesians 2:10 NIV "For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Let's not become so focused on what we think is our best self, and become focused on who God says we are, and where He is leading. It takes some introspection and a willingness to admit to our own self-protection and self-reliance.

1 Peter 5: 5b-6 "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

That way, we become all that we can be with His grace, and our character becomes reflective of his love towards others. "Self" has been repurposed to bring God glory, and we become all that He designed us to be and to do. Let's do it!