Self Awareness

A flower gathers the sun, and drinks the rain.  In its simplicity, it beautifies the world by being exactly what it is.  So it is with everything that surrounds us.  Everything seen and unseen…plays it’s part with perfection, all coming together to create an environment rich with example of what can be accomplished simply by doing what it was created to do.

Humankind is the odd exception.  Our reasoning minds are much more complex.  We are much more apt to alter our behaviors away from or to enhance further the purpose of our existence.  We don’t just survive on instinct, but strive to create meaning out of what surrounds…and of our interactions with one another.  We contemplate purpose and meaning in love, sorrow, success, fear, and life in general.  But this is by design…

Just as a flower fulfills its purpose by gathering sunlight, and drinking rain…we have certain necessities in order to achieve the maximum fulfillment for what we are designed to be.  If achieved, we also beautify and bring order to everything around us.

Each person born into this world has been given gifts and talents…whether they be spiritual, or temporal.  Some are written directly into their soul, and some are developed.  Ultimately, a person’s level of happiness relies heavily on their ability to achieve self awareness, fulfill their purpose, and grow their talents.

There are many things that numb us from achieving self awareness.  I would like to go over 4 of them.  They are lack of time and effort in developing self awareness, a premature desire to feel resolve, substance abuse, and invalid traditions/peer pressure.

Lack of time and effort in developing self awareness:  Life gets busy.  The society we have built around ourselves is complex and takes a lot of time and effort just to survive in.  In the process of survival, it’s easy to get into routines, and to become overwhelmed to the point you no longer introspect and contemplate the greater things.  We numb ourselves of taking the time to unlock our real talents.

It stands to reason that to discover your talents you need to try a lot of different things.  You can't learn the inner workings of a car only by driving.  You can't learn to cook only by eating.  A person needs to continuously expand the mind by exposing it to new things.  We weren't meant to be in the same routine day after day...never experiencing anything new.  Our happiness relies on growth.  Our very nature is one of progress...and without it, joy simply does not exist.

Many of us don't have the luxury of setting aside much time outside of our routines.  Meeting the demands of survival is a necessity.  However, ask yourself: "Is staying within my routine necessary for the survival of myself and those that depend on me? What adjustments could be made in my routine, or when I get to break from my routine? What can I do to set aside the time necessary to create new experiences for myself and others?"

Many people don't realize the reason for their unhappiness is nothing more than that they have not learned that human nature is not stagnant...we either progress or digress.  Progression is our sunshine, our water.  Without it our design is not being fulfilled, and we cannot effectively emulate to the rest of the world the love of the God that created us.  Without taking the time to open ourselves to new experiences and interacting with our environment and those around us...we lose sight of our role.

Further, once we experience new things...even still we sometimes forget to identify how we can utilize those experiences to identify how to improve our character.  Not every interaction is positive...we need to stop and assess how we can turn the negatives into learning experiences.  Everything around us is a lesson in life just waiting to teach us patience, love, compassion, bravery, etc.  To let it work within us, we need to proactively identify it.  Take time out to assess your experiences and how to best use them to grow.

As you try new things, you will find your niche and improve your quality of life.  I truly believe God reveals an awareness of the purpose of life of each individual who seeks it.  We all have something special to contribute to make life fulfilling for ourselves and those we share in this life experience with.

A premature desire to feel resolve: We fear the unknown.  Sometimes we fear it so much we feel the need to comfort ourselves by drawing up premature conclusions about things.  It makes us feel content.  Well, at least temporarily until truth surfaces.

How does this numb us from self awareness?  Think of a child.  Every child has that phase they go through where they want to prove they are getting "big"...and they will ignore experienced advice saying "I know! I want to do it! I already know how!" They have closed themselves off from advice and information that could assist them in the learning process.  The good news is most kids learn even if they do things the hard way...and this phase ends rather quickly.  The bad news is adults are more stubborn and difficult to change that children.

Many adults develop a sense of pride and set of values which prohibit them from seeing things differently.  With life experience under your belt, there are certain values which you know need to be a part of your life because you developed them, tested them, and adopted them into your lifestyle on a permanent basis.  It helps make you who you are.  But we can also draw invalid conclusions that we refuse to revisit.  Why? Because we assume we already "know." To think otherwise might require us to change, or to feel like maybe we were wrong.  That's not easy.

We need to swallow our pride and open our minds and hearts.  God can't reveal our inner selves when we think we already have it all figured out.  We all do it...so much so that we often don't even realize it.  We jump to conclusions all the time.  This can severely set back in our personal growth.

God doesn't typically give us a complete understanding of things all at once.  Shaping our character is a slow moving process.  Little by little a foundation of who we are is unfolded in a series of experiences, and the time we take to process them.  There are some things your mind is simply not prepared to understand until you reach certain events in your life.  One of my favorite writers is Ralph Waldo Emerson.  He once wrote "Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience."

Just as the Grand Canyon took millions of years to earn its majestic views...we also need to have the patience to shape ourselves into the beautiful work of art God intended us to be.  Accept that you don't have things all figured out.  Be open to change.  Enjoy new truths that are revealed to you in every walk of life.  Do more observing, more listening.  Don't ever feel you have arrived at "The Truth" as if you have already achieved it, because you will cut yourself off from further growth.

If you make mistakes, don't be afraid.  It is experience which brings you closer to finding additional truths.  Shed off every inclination that you must appear to be infallible, and open yourself to the limitless possibilities God will lay before you.  Life and fulfillment only ends when you stop learning.  Drop your pride and tackle life with eyes wide open.  The confidence and joy you find as you shape your character will astound you.

Substance Abuse:  A healthy mind is vital in deciphering the mysteries of life.  "Life is short." This is a view which encourages many choose to experiment with substances (drugs, alcohol, etc).  They want to make the most of these moments by experiencing laughter, a temporary escape from problems, or simply to enjoy the company of friends.  Everyone needs an outlet of some sort.  Laughter and friendships are a vital part of life.  But substances including many mind altering prescribed drugs can yield and even destroy your mind's ability to process.

Addiction is the obvious side affect most people associate with substance abuse.  Dependency draws your attention away from the more important things in life, and causes you to focus too much on your habit.  It can affect you financially, destroy your senses, your minds ability to function, and destroy your relationships with loved ones who would normally be vital in helping you get the most out of life.

When your mind is directed too much on what you need and that perceived need is a fallacy, your life begins to become a fallacy.  Everything you do is just not quite right.  You justify your addiction as you gradually let it settle into your way of life.  The addicted begin to have ulterior motives even when trying to be kind and generous.  They begin using people to the point they are willing to risk valuable relationships.  They lose touch with seeking to better others lives, and begin to lead life solely to fulfill what they need.  Then when hopelessly addicted, they no longer have ownership over their life...it is yielded to the substance.  Many completely lose their minds, can no longer function in a job, and have burned so many bridges with their loved ones they have no way to survive.  Any ability to achieve self awareness is lost...often permanently due to the destructive nature of some substances.

So what about some of the lesser known issues with substance abuse?  I believe our minds are God given.  They process everything around us, decoding all of the meaning of His other creations.  Interactions with other people, nature, even just losing yourself in contemplation of everything you have seen and experienced can be life changing.  I believe we have a tremendous responsibility to keep our eyes open and minds clear to gain any and all information that may help us advance our understanding.

Sobriety is the key.  Yielding your mind to a substance even for a short time may alter your ability to advance your understanding in ways you may have never considered.  The smallest things can be life changing.  How many people have done or said things while drunk or on a substance that they regret.  Jobs lost due to actions at a company party, friendships lost, lovers cheated on...these are some of the more obvious examples.

But what about the person that chose to drink instead of working out a simple quarrel with their spouse?  Maybe that very moment, a simple discussion may have been the one that to sober minds would have had that would alter the way they looked at things forever.

What about the person who was given a prescription drug that was irresponsibly recommended prior to working through the issues that were at the root of the problem?  Maybe that problem was there specifically to help that person learn to cope and view things differently...lost to a mind alteration.  There are, of course, appropriate times for medication.  But it should be taken much more seriously than we do.

A person who is alert at all times may not make all the right decisions, or be able to build their character with every interaction...but they will never be allowing a substance to take the drivers seat of their duty and responsibility to discover the more important things about themselves.  Their interactions are real.  None of it is brought on with assistance of a substance.  The senses are not dulled, but always ready.  Never yield your mind to substances if at all possible.

Invalid traditions and peer pressure: I remember as a child that every time I walked outside at night...I would see the stars lighting up the sky bold and brightly.  As I looked up, I heard an accompanying sound which happened to be crickets.  Before I knew it was the crickets, my perception was that it was the "twinkling" of the stars making the sound.  Although it was imaginative for a young child, it was not reality.  In fact, I didn't even think to question it...because it was an assumption so early in life.  The first time it even crossed my mind to question I had matured well beyond those younger years, and laughed at the thought of how long I went without even thinking about it.  I carried the intellectual knowledge to understand the truth, but just hadn't thought to question.

Tradition can be our friend, or our enemy.  Traditions can create memories with our loved ones.  They can be a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle.  They can assist in passing on a legacy for generations to come.  They can also keep us from thinking.  They can also make us feel obligated toward a certain way of life and fail to become aware of truths, and our purpose.

One example is the perceived gender roles of manhood.  In general, many men feel sharing their feelings or being expressive is something that is contrary to what they should do.  This is an invalid tradition.  Some are taught at a very young age to suppress themselves so as not to look weak.  In reality, they are being taught the exact opposite.

Men should actively pursue being their true selves no matter what traditional society has to say about it.  It takes a much braver man to boldly express himself than it takes to coward away his feelings under the mask of emotionless strength.  For man or woman to acknowledge and express their true selves the way God intended...this is greatness.  This is being self aware.

Religion is another example of a tradition that can help or hinder ones ability to discover purpose.  It can be a means for passing on a tradition of a very healthy way of life.  It can facilitate the discussion of life's truths between individuals, and fuel a very positive experience that will help uplift everyone involved.  Some of the most fulfilling and deepest truths I have had have been revealed in such a setting.  If it weren't for seeing things from the perspective of others, there are a lot of things I would never have considered.

I also enjoy the ideal that my children benefit from a healthy way of living.  They understand very well how to communicate with God, love others, and how to make good decisions.  If this tradition is kept, it very well may benefit future generations.

Religion has been used throughout history in order to establish a moral code.  In some parts of history, the understanding that there would be consequences in the hereafter was instrumental in respecting the value of life.  Religion has also been used to take advantage of people.  A lot of money has been gained, blood spilt, livelihood threatened, truth lost, and self awareness lost due to replacing God with unquestioned loyalty toward man.

The root of the problem in this example lies in not understanding the difference between religion, and God. Many who claim a religion do so because they enjoy the social aspect of it.  They want to be a part of something.  They want to feel they have a claim that alas the truth has been found.  This desire for belonging and resolve is normal.  However, if they detach from their natural God given senses, and immerse only in what is placed before them by man...it can become extremely dangerous.  Terrorist networks are grown in this fashion.  An ideal is created, and not to be questioned.  Those who do are looked upon as being weak and uncommitted.  Peers will attack the sincere truth seeker like a wounded animal.  Most religions don't require a person to blow themselves up for God, but many do glorify those who believe without question.

But is this what God would intend?  Just as you can't learn the inner workings of a car by driving alone...you can't learn about yourself and your purpose simply by it being given to you on a platter.  We are meant to seek truth boldly.  We are meant to dip in to the inner workings of our souls, our minds, and see what we are made of.  We are meant to look at the world that surrounds us, and contemplate the greater things of life.  We are meant to interact with others in meaningful ways.  We are meant to soak up all the information, process it, listen to our hearts, and show thanks for our God given minds by retaining the truths received.

Religion should be viewed as a tool, not a replacement for God.  It is mans attempt at organizing truths obtained.  When effectively utilized, it can be very fulfilling.  I love going to church.  It is a place where truth seekers can share what they have found, and everyone can benefit.  It is a treasure trove of shared knowledge, truths, and wisdom.  When all are interested in building a relationship with God rather than simply an affinity for the organization, great things are accomplished.

We should be limitless in where we find truth.  Those who do it only at church are missing their purpose entirely.  No matter where we are, we are living in God's creation...His masterpiece.  He expresses Himself through it just as any artist does in their work.  Everywhere you go, there is something to appreciate, something to learn.  Learn from other people, cultures, religions.  Learn from your observance of nature.  Learn in your quiet moments while you contemplate your purpose.  Learn from books.  Purge falsehoods, retain truths.  Slowly but surely you will become aware of the role you play, and what your potential is.

To conclude, keep an open mind.  Be patient as you gain truth.  Accept that you don't know everything, celebrate the truths you find, share them, and be open to more.  Keep your mind prepared at all times to appreciate life and the beautiful world that surrounds you.  Love others in a way that emulates God's love for you.  Pray that you will be able to unlock your potential and see in yourself what God sees in you.  Be true to yourself.  Trust the ability of your mind and senses as long as they are firmly planted in seeking the truths God is ready to reveal.  If you live in this manner, you will gain self awareness...and just as the flower gathers sunshine and drinks the rain, be exactly what God intended you to be.