Stop looking for what was never missing

I cannot recall when this occurred, but at some point in my life I became drawn to books that profess to help with self-image and self-promotion.  Within the business section of the bookstores, these books are regarded as Management or Leadership, elsewhere, they are regarded as Self-help or Inspirational.  Regardless of where you find them, the underlying thesis is always the same – you are on a journey to find yourself.
I admit I have had more than my share of rendezvous with the notion that I haven’t yet found myself.   I think now this is nonsensical. I am “right here”.  I have always been “right here”.  I will always be “right here”.  So is, and will be, everybody.  Let’s parse out the phrase “right here”.  In its most common use, the use of the word ‘right’ is used adjectively to give preciseness to the word ‘here’ one supposes to distinguish from ‘somewhere around here’ or ‘in the general vicinity’.  ‘Right here’ gives exactness to the location to which we refer.
In my use of the phrase ‘right here’ is meant to accentuate that where I am in life is right. And where I am is here.  You too are where you are and for you that is here, and it is right.  Hence, any journey with the aim of finding oneself seems to loose its purpose if at all times we are all ‘right here’.  In contrast to what most self-help and business management / leadership books emphasize, let’s stop looking for ourselves and instead look at ourselves – and accept what we see.
It is said – and I truly believe – that life only begins at the outer edges of our comfort zones.  And for us to venture outward to life’s beginning we must stop looking for what was never missing. We must instead accept who are right here.  In short, we must stop looking for ourselves and begin accepting ourselves!
A closing thought: As I read through what I share above I was at first concerned that this was more on the self-help more then the business or work side of our lives.  Through both personal experience and observation of others, I have become aware of how poignant these thoughts can affect our sense of fulfillment in our work lives as much as, if not more than, our personal lives.  I might dare to postulate further that real self-acceptance can help tear down conflict that exists between any two dichotomous identities we have between who we are at work and who we are at play.
Thanks for reading.  Thoughts and comments are always welcome.
Have a Great Day!
~Matt G.