As a teenager, I said “Whatever!” to my mother all the time. She would often complain, “Kimberly, you didn’t walk the dog,” to which I would reply, “Like, whatever, Mom!”

I was individuating, pushing my parents away by any means to feel more comfortable being out there in the world alone. I was engaged in mortal combat, and “whatever” was my weapon. It got right into the chinks of my mother’s armor. How wonderful to see her face flush with anger as I dismissed her in three syllables! That is, until I realized the word was a projection of my own sense of inadequacy and worthlessness. It wasn’t about my mother at all.

Recently, I decided to look up the term. The original use of “whatever” meant “anything at all; no matter what or who.” Huge epiphany! A eureka moment followed by a touch of humility if I’m honest. God loves that part. The part when we realize we don’t know anything, really. And, then we come to Him.

“Whatever” was initially a term of inclusion, not a term of rejection! This word was power in the positive, an etymological embrace of all humanity. Inclusion, period. No exceptions. You, and you, and, yes, even you, are included. In God’s love. In His mercy. In His glory. You. Me. Anyone and everyone.

I used to look in the mirror and say, “Whatever,” as in, “You don’t matter.”

40 years later, God handed me the true definition of the word through a series of synchronicities. He blessed me with a profound awakening from my illusion to His truth. Now I look into those hazel eyes of mine in the mirror, and I say, “Whatever!” As in, Yes! I am one of God’s children. Yes, I am an essential drop in that ocean of grace! 

And, when I think about what is noble and true and pure and lovely in God’s creation, I include myself, because I am part it. He made perfectly imperfect me, and you, and yes, you, too. We are all part of God’s totality, part of “anything at all; no matter what or who.” 

God bless you!

Kimberly