Have you ever come to a time when you have asked yourself who you are? In everything you do, it is all important to know where to position yourself. Before you understand and know other people, it is better if you know yourself first. Remember that it is the greatest discovery of all. It is the most courageous thing that you can do for your own goodness.
Knowing yourself doesn’t mean that you have to know your favorite color, your favorite actor or your favorite sports. It is beyond the ever-known-slam book-thing. Knowing yourself requires you to think deeply of what your thoughts are and what you believe in. Just because everyone is doing this and that do not mean that you have to do it too. Oftentimes, the “standards” created by other people generate big damage to us. Well, it is good to follow them, but it doesn’t always work that way. You have to think deeply and work best for your own. It is a difficult and long process but the results will be all worthy. It will improve the quality of your life.
You ask, “Why do I need to know myself? I have a lot of friends and they understand me.” Truly, we do have friends who are always there to understand us. You are lucky if all the people around you understand you. But sometimes, you have to be realistic. Our life doesn’t revolve with the same people. We get to know others. We get to know people who are different from us. Our reactions to certain things might cause problems to our relationships. When you understand yourself, you can be able to see a different perspective. By knowing yourself, you’ll get to understand others too. Then again, this will improve the quality of your life.
Just like what was said, knowing oneself is a difficult and long process. So you really have to give a big effort in all the things that you do. Growing up doesn’t mean that you automatically become conscious of who you are. It requires you to intentionally learn from every situation that you encounter and analyze every moment for your own good. The following are my self-thought guidelines in understanding one’s self. Remember that these are just guidelines. Find out what’s good for you.
GIVE TIME FOR YOURSELF. When I was in the university, my professor told our class that in order to fix things in life, one should allot at least 30 minutes for oneself every day and use this time to think and analyze. I tried to do this and until now, this activity plays a big role in my individuality. It gives me the opportunity to understand my attitudes, moods and habits and to think of things that requires deep imagination and knowledge. This is also a moment for me to know what I really like or plan to do in life, what I value and believe and what I prioritize.
LEARNING AND APPLICATION. One of the things that keep us from living is by learning in all things every day. It is one thing we have to give our attention in order to have a good life. On the other hand, people often forget the application of the things that we all learn. It is good to think well but you must act too. What’s the sense of everything you have thought of if you do not apply them for real?
UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. Remember that you are not the only person in the world. You are not the only one who needs to be understood. You also have to understand others.
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