Ripples #944: Knowing Yourself!
June 26, 2017
PEBBLE
Drop the idea of becoming someone, because you are already a masterpiece. You cannot be improved. You have only to come to it, to know it, to realize it.
-Osho, shared by Pete in Ouray, CO
BOULDER
You’ve got to know yourself. You’ve got to know what ignites your magic, what fires your soul into performing majestic acts of love. You’ve got to know yourself so much that not even a hundred voices will drown yours. You’ve got to own yourself: this journey is all yours. All yours. No one can do it and you decide whenever you are ready to embark on it. Unlearn, learn, master yourself and love yourself or else they will define you and that’s a poisonous kind of life. That’s death.
—Ijeoma Umebinyuo, shared by Simone in Reno, NV
PONDER
I talk. A lot.
When I’m on the road, I talk to audiences; when I’m home I talk to my friends and neighbors; if you’ve ever spotted me on my morning walks or as I scoot through the airport on my travels, you know that I even talk to myself. Talking, along with listening, are two important ways that I connect with the world. It allows me to build and deepen connections with others; it also allow me to deepen the connection I have with my inner self.
I think I’ve been talking to myself since forever, but it took an interesting turn while in counseling and I’d say something to my therapist like, “I don’t know why I sometimes do that.” And she’d say, “Why don’t you ask yourself?” I was surprised at how often I could pose a question internally then wait just a moment before a response surfaced. I was also surprised at how often the answer surprised me–I’d be reminded of something I hadn’t thought about in ages, or an entirely new thought would emerge. (I actually dropped a hint about this in last week’s Ripples about problems when I asked you to imagine having a conversation with a problem you’re currently facing–I heard from several people who said that it was a helpful technique for them.)
I’d like to invite you to have some inner conversations this week; spend some time posing questions that you might ask a friend or even someone you’re just getting to know: “How are you? What’s working in your life right now? What isn’t? What can I do to help you grow?” It may feel a little awkward at first, and you might not receive (or recognize) a response right away. With a little practice, though, it might help you get to know yourself a little better. I believe it’s worth a try, because I believe you’re worth a try.
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
