The Harm of “You Do You”
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Have you ever heard the slogan “You do you”? Dr. Sri discusses the negative connotations of this statement and how we are called to live and love in a much greater way.
Snippet from the Show
I don’t want to just be me, I want to be like Jesus.
Pilgrimage to Rome with Dr. Edward Sri
Dr. Sri recently announced that he will be taking a pilgrimage to Rome June 22-30 of this year. For more information, email rome.edwardsri@gmail.com.
Resources from Dr. Sri
Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross
- The Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross invites Catholics to discover the depths of Christ’s love shown to us by his passion and death. In this beautiful book, readers will find a guide to accompany them and help them meditate on Christ’s Passion.
- In this book, Dr. Sri explains the close connection between growing in the virtues and growing in friendship and community with others.
Context
Pope Benedict wrote that “We have lost the art of living.” Basically, so many of our young people and even many adults no longer know how to do some of the basic things in life. There is a lot of struggle when it comes to handling conflict, having mature conversations, and having healthy relationships and marriages. What we have instead is ghosting, distractions, avoidance, and indifference. We have lost the basics.
The Basics, the Cardinal Virtues
For many years, the basics could be simplified to the virtues. The virtues were something that were passed down from parent to child, from teacher to student. The virtues taught you how to live life. They taught you how to deal with conflict, do marriage, and do friendship well. Below is a list of the four Cardinal Virtues:
- Prudence - wise decision making
- Fortitude - courage to persevere for the sake of a good thing
- Temperance - self-control to keep you on the right path
- Justice - fulfilling responsibilities to God and to our neighbors
The Harm of “You Do You”
Why is “You do you” harmful? This phrase allows people to basically do whatever they like. It does not call people on to holiness or growth in virtue. It, in fact, rejects the entire reality of Original Sin. We are not totally rotten. However, we are not angels and we have a tendency towards sin. It is necessary that we learn to die to ourselves and become like Christ. Young people so badly want answers. They want to know how to do life. “You do you” does not give answers. It does not offer a path.
Real Love
When we disagree with someone or disapprove of choices they make, this does not mean that we hate the person or that they deserve any less of our respect. We are called to love all people. Every person has dignity and is deserving of respect. We must be welcoming towards every person and we must affirm their dignity. However, there is another part to this. If we really love a person, then we need to share the better way. We need to pray with them and walk with them. To love someone is to will their good.
God’s Plan
God has a wonderful, beautiful plan for our lives. He does not hide this from us. This plan is revealed through Jesus Christ. This plan is one which allows us to thrive and be happy. There is nothing better than God’s plan for our lives.