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Self awareness
by Carla Valencia
Self awareness is to be mindful and immersed in the here and now. Being mindful is being fully aware of this present moment. When you are aware of your present moment, you are not judging, reflecting, or consciously thinking. You are observing and, perhaps, acting decisively. Champion athletes who are "in the zone" are expressing perfect self-awareness.
The importance of self awareness
Building self awareness is important because:
- It will help you to observe yourself and life free from judgment. (There is a time for judgment of yourself and others, but you also cannot accurately judge what you cannot clearly, objectively observe first);
- It enables you to see yourself as you truly are, for better and for worse.
I spent many long years of my life trying to understand how to become aware. I used to react with reflection, judging others and rationalizing my every action. I have learned to be self-aware, and that changed a lot of perceptions about myself , other people and life. Self awareness is the most important tool to use to enhance my self esteem, I discovered.
A while ago I changed the color of my hair. I noticed that nobody said anything regarding this change. I went through that day just observing, being self aware. It didn't bother me that nobody made any comment; in the past, I would have been humiliated and lashed out at others as a result. I may also have dyed my hair back the very next day.
But now it became a pleasant experience. I felt comfortable and confident with my change. I wasn't looking for others' approval. I observed myself and other people without judging, reflecting, or rationalizing. This experience led me to understand that my need for the approval of others has truly diminished , my self esteem improved. This is what I call knowing yourself. If you know yourself and don't need everyone else's approval for all you say and do, those who really love what you think and feel will be easy for you to recognize when they come along, so your relationships with others will improve in every way .
You will better understand your behaviors and feelings as you become self-aware and enrich your life. I came across my inner child one day and I asked her, "Why do I react so strongly toward some situations?" I was screaming at my husband, who had failed to keep a promise (he probably just forgot and never meant to break it).
I started to observe myself. When I observed my behavior without judging or condemning I realized that I acted childishly as a result of my wounded past. The promise wasn't kept and I triggered the wounded part that resented being let down or neglected. Because there was no judgment, I became conscious of this wound, and with that I could begin trying to heal it.
Meditation is a great tool you can use to practice life observation. When you meditate you don't "force yourself not to think"; you became an observer of your streaming thoughts and fluctuating emotions. This trains you into practicing reflexive objective observation wherever you go in your life. Meditation helps building self esteem, it connect you with your real self. The source of self worth.
Read self awareness quotes to gain more understanding and Self talk .
Mindfulness is the awareness, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn't more complicated that that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.Sylvia Boorstein
