Mary Oliver: You Do Not Have to Be Good
I remember the first time I read Mary Oliver’s poem, “You Do Not Have to Be Good.” I was in college, and I was struggling with a lot of things. I was trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. I was also dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression.
Oliver’s poem spoke to me in a way that nothing else had before. It gave me permission to be myself, to be imperfect, and to still be loved. It reminded me that I am not alone in my struggles, and that there are people who care about me.
What Does It Mean to Be Good?
In our society, we are constantly bombarded with messages about what it means to be good. We are told that we should be successful, thin, beautiful, and popular. We are told that we should have a good job, a nice house, and a happy family.
But what if we don’t fit into these ideals? What if we are not successful, or thin, or beautiful, or popular? What if we don’t have a good job, a nice house, or a happy family?
Does that mean that we are not good?
Of course not.
Being good is not about meeting the expectations of others. It is not about being perfect. It is simply about being yourself and living your life in a way that is true to who you are.
Mary Oliver’s Poem
In her poem, “You Do Not Have to Be Good,” Mary Oliver writes:
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Oliver’s poem is a reminder that we are all worthy of love, no matter who we are or what we have done. We do not have to be perfect to be loved. We just have to be ourselves.
How to Be Yourself
Being yourself is not always easy. It can be scary to put yourself out there and be vulnerable. But it is worth it.
When you are yourself, you are free to be who you were meant to be. You are free to live your life in a way that is true to your values and your beliefs. You are free to love who you love and to do what you love.
If you are struggling to be yourself, here are a few tips:
- Start by spending time alone. Get to know yourself and what you like and dislike.
- Surround yourself with people who love and support you.
- Be honest with yourself about who you are and what you want.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
- Be kind to yourself.
FAQ
- What is the meaning of Mary Oliver’s poem, “You Do Not Have to Be Good”?
The poem is a reminder that we are all worthy of love, no matter who we are or what we have done. We do not have to be perfect to be loved. We just have to be ourselves.
- How can I be myself?
Start by spending time alone. Get to know yourself and what you like and dislike. Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Be honest with yourself about who you are and what you want. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Be kind to yourself.
- What are some benefits of being myself?
When you are yourself, you are free to be who you were meant to be. You are free to live your life in a way that is true to your values and your beliefs. You are free to love who you love and to do what you love.
Conclusion
Mary Oliver’s poem, “You Do Not Have to Be Good,” is a powerful reminder that we are all worthy of love, no matter who we are or what we have done. We do not have to be perfect to be loved. We just have to be ourselves.
I encourage you to read Oliver’s poem and to reflect on its meaning. I hope that it will inspire you to be yourself and to live your life to the fullest.
Are you interested in learning more about Mary Oliver and her work?
Here are some resources:
