The best way of knowing the inwardness of our neighbor is to know ourselves.”
Walter Lippmann
How well do you know yourself? The foundation and practice of awareness is about putting yourself first. By curiously becoming a witness of who you are; your thoughts, feelings, memories, needs, fears, and sensations, you can strengthen your natural ability to understand and know yourself. It gives you a psychological edge in all areas of life. People who are self-aware are in the best position to see their choices more clearly, rise above disagreement, and freer to find solutions that feel right.
When you practice awareness it nurtures the relationship you have with your ‘self’. It cultivates acceptance, appreciation, and patience, not only for yourself but for others. As C. G. Jung expressed, “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
When faced with disturbing situations, the key to breaking any negative downward spiral is stepping back from your emotional reactions. Attentively use your senses to explore what’s happening. Notably, your behavior is mostly driven by your desire to achieve self-worth. Even a tiny bit of self understanding and compassion can bring a sense of relief, perspective and make it easier to get to the bottom of an issue. Continue reading “Practicing Awareness”
Pause Stress 