' I Changed '...

I was neurotic for years.

I was anxious and depressed and selfish.

Everyone kept telling me to change.

I resented them and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn't, no matter how hard I tried.

Then one day someone said to me, Don't change.

I love you just as you are.

Those words were music to my ears:

Don't change, Don't change.

Don't change . . . I love you as you are.

I relaxed.

I came alive.

And suddenly I changed!


-Anthony de Mello