DIG: The Joy Of Self-Discovery

Taken from the airplane
Sun setting over the Caribbean

If we don't know ourselves how can we be expected or even claim we know others? We see the problems caused by lack of awareness at every level of society.  Over the past three years the world's eyes have been trained on Washington, DC on the United States Government apparatus and it's key players, in particular, the president, Donald Trump. There is no clearer example of people who are tasked with making laws and decisions that affect not only every single resident of the country, but also almost everyone living on the planet! This is no accident, all these players are reflecting the state of consciousness and it tells us that there is much work to be done.

Awareness and self-discovery are critical to living with inner peace and find joy in the journey of life.  Our outer conflicts reflect the state of our inner being. It is therefore no accident that you will hear the saying if "if you want to change the world (positively) start with yourself". Over the years I have come to understand that most of our human suffering and emotional pain is in the mind and so in order to be free we need to release ourselves from this burden. Jamaican Reggae Icon Bob Marley said it best in the song, Emancipate Your Self (emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but yourself can free your mind). Most of the words of the song are taken straight out of the scriptures - he had awareness.

What Bob Marley didn't tell you in the song is how to emancipate yourself from this mental slavery that causes so much suffering in self, families and societies.  Very few people are released from their mental suffering by spontaneous healing, one of those people is Eckhart Tolle, as detailed in his book, The Power Of Now.  For most people, this has to be intentional.   There are no shortage of resources to help us on this journey.  Many people start the process after a big setback or loss in their lives.  Others just wanted to improve the quality of their own lives and their relationships, while some are seekers.  They are seeking to go deeper in their relationship with God.  It doesn't matter why we start the journey, what matters is that we start. When the student is ready the teacher appears!  This is so true, because that is how it is with God, he will furnish us with the resources we need because that is what he promised us.

Six steps to help with self discovery:

1) For Christians, the best place to start is with the Bible.  Read all the scriptures on love, forgiveness, healing and emotional well being. Don't just read them, digest them as well.  Do not be afraid to go deep so read slowly and reflectively.

2)  Read biographies of people who have overcome great difficulties, poverty and lack for encouragement and inspiration.

3) If you had traumatic situations in your life, seek the services of professionals trained and or specialized in the area of need.

4) Surround yourself with positive people who are encouraging and uplifting.

5) Learn to meditate, God reveals answers to your questions and gives you direction when you quiet the mind and listed.  Have a core group - two or three people - whom you can talk things out with, or even run things by before you take action.  Your core group or "inner circle" must be well grounded individuals; and if they are in leadership or professionals in the field of health, mental health and behavioural disciplines that would be a huge gift to you.

6) Talk with people.  Many of people grew up in families where conversations were not normal.  What was normal is barking out commands, telling them what they should or shouldn't or can't do, or criticisms and put-downs.  Thus they never learned to converse.  It is amazing what you learn just by chatting instead of "interrogating". Take a course in effective communications if you have to, it will only help your life.

Make this a transformational Tuesday,

Beverley