Myself--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Myself

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Throughout our lives we interact with many people who form their own opinions about us. But at the end of the day, we are alone with ourselves, deciding who we really are and who we really want to be. No matter our circumstances, we can choose to live honorably and compassionately—or not. We can choose to change and become a better person—or not. In a sense, each of us is our own best critic. And despite our blind spots, we know more about ourselves than anyone else. When we open our hearts in sincerity and truth, we see strengths and weaknesses, areas of accomplishment and areas that need work. And that’s life: trying to improve, progressing and growing, learning and becoming all that we are capable of becoming. Instead of avoiding the truth about ourselves, let’s look ourselves “straight in the eye” as the well-known “people’s poet,” Edgar A. Guest, wrote almost a century ago: I have to live with myself, and so I want to be fit for myself to know; I want to be able as days go by Always to look myself straight in the eye; I don’t want to stand with the setting sun And hate myself for the things I’ve done. I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf A lot of secrets about myself, And fool myself as I come and go Into thinking that nobody else will know The kind of man I really am; I don’t want to dress myself up in sham. I want to go out with my head erect, I want to deserve all men’s respect; But here in the struggle for fame and pelf, I want to be able to like myself. I don’t want to think as I come and go That I’m bluster and bluff and empty show. I never can hide myself from me, I see what others may never see, I know what others may never know, I never can fool myself—and so, Whatever happens, I want to be Self-respecting and conscience free.1 1 “Myself,” Collected Verse of Edgar A. Guest (1934), 724. Program #4148