Our outward persona is more often than not, a carefully constructed image, a facade that reflects only a sliver of what we internally are. For most of us, social media has become the ultimate seeking ground of acceptance and validation by society. Without any judgement on this normal human tendency to project one self in the best possible light, it bears to mind that in order to keep safe that persona, we kind of obfuscate our true character. To live up to that carefully crafted online persona, we forgo the authenticity of our true being for the gratification of validation from our online friends and followers. Perhaps this is an era of self-love and self- promotion. And nothing wrong there. It is just when the innate truth of our own self is given the go by, for sake of a visually or commercially appealing visage, a disturbing paradox becomes apparent.
An important exercise to stay in tune with one’s inner being is to seek self-awareness. Self -awareness comes from a place of humility. To know yourself - at your best and purest, as well as, at your worst and lowest, is a superpower to have. It takes extreme degree of humility to confront one’s innermost virtues – and vices, and make peace with them. The humility in knowing our true selves gives us true acceptance of the self. That in turn elevates our existence from being outward focused to inward looking. As a result, our self -worth appreciates and we are encouraged to embody from within what we seek on the outside. Ideally, hereupon should a true form of self-love begin..
Self -awareness sets sail our journey of self-actualization. The day we are able to shun the traps of an “image’, we are liberated from our own trap of living up to others’ expectations and standards of acceptance. When we are at our barest best, we are fully attuned to the ways and reactions of our mind and body. With self-awareness we build self -regulation. Motivation and discipline are then a natural outcome; and thus a powerful toolkit for the mind enables it to be supremely aware of its potential and its possibilities. Contemplation and introspection are the two ways to practice self- awareness. Routine deliberations with ourselves gives us an amazing form of remote control over the direction to our lives and what goes to forms our beliefs. It gives a purpose to our lives and leads us to ways life is supposed to fulfil us. It also gives us the sanity and equanimity to deal with the outside world and its intangibles.
Awareness is empowering-more if it of our self. It greatly helps to be in harmony with the inner self and operate with humility and self-compassion- with our own selves first, and then extend a similar attitude to the ones around us. Be self-aware, it is the best mirror and the best map to have for your life’s journey.
Comments