I realize the term "esse quam videri"(to be rather than to appear) may be overused by now, but to me it is very relevant at this time in my life. I have found "being" to be a difficult practice. That in itself is possibly an oxymoron, however their does need to be some effort put into just being. I once heard a speacker talk about the character of God. He went as far as to nickname God "BE". From the declaration of God to Moses, calling himself "I AM", this preacher felt he could just throw his arm over God's shoulder and chumly chat with the creator of the universe "be". Now, I may not have liked the lightness of such an idea, but some of his point may be good for us to understand. The fact that God just is, he isn't because he does or because he did, he just is; and even if he had not done or does not do or will not do, he will still be. That's our model I believe (or at least I am trying to believe[there I go again with "trying"]) , of life under God. BE still and know. I like people seeing who I appear to be, but if I first be, then how I appear will have value. I dunno, just thinking.