{"id":9373,"date":"2013-08-22T19:53:22","date_gmt":"2013-08-22T19:53:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iamsignificant.ca\/andre\/?p=9373"},"modified":"2017-02-27T15:45:39","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T15:45:39","slug":"the-great-find-self-discovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamsignificant.ca\/andre\/sole-significance\/the-great-find-self-discovery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Great Find – Self-Discovery"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the greatest adventures that many undertake is the journey of discovering who they really are as a person. \u00a0Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, said that the unexamined life is a waste of life itself<\/em><\/strong> but what does this really mean? \u00a0After all, we know what we like, what we think ... don't we? \u00a0We have our own personality ... or do we? \u00a0This isn't as hippy babble or as wow-ee, zowee mystical as you may think. \u00a0When we talk about self-discovery, we are simply speaking of the process of maturing and becoming our own unique person in the light of who we were uniquely created by God to be!<\/p>\n

Take a moment and consider how our family influences us, how our education, economic status, friends, heroes and so forth. \u00a0This can be positive and healthy, and sometimes not so helpful. \u00a0These subtle and not so subtle forces often have a significant effect on our decisions and preferences. \u00a0For example, many have chosen career paths due in no small part to our conditioned definition of success. \u00a0How many of us work to achieve a particular body type or dress a certain way to conform to the ever-changing ideas of fashion and beauty? \u00a0Perhaps in an effort to fit in, and compete for and maintain your rank relative to others in the community, we end up sacrificing who we uniquely, living life in the proverbial closet.<\/p>\n

Somewhere under all the cultural graffiti is the real you. \u00a0Buried under the influence of others to fit in, lies the organic personality and nature at the foundation of who you are. It is in this place we long to be known by others, but we fear\u00a0being judged, ridiculed and excluded if we were authentically us. \u00a0However, as we mature and experience life, many of us discover the vanity and insanity of living to please others. \u00a0For many, they find themselves trapped living a life that is in many ways a lie, a facade that often leaves many lonely, afraid and restlessness. \u00a0In many instances, feelings of depression and a deep sense of futility begin to creep in from the shadows of our life.<\/p>\n

\"Spiritual<\/a><\/p>\n

It will take real courage to explore, discover and accept who we really are - especially when what we discover may not fit so well with what is esteemed in our culture. \u00a0The truth is just as there is a cost to not fitting in; there may be a greater cost by denying who you really are.<\/p>\n

\nFor what does it profit a person who gains the praises of all people yet loses themselves!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This journey of self-discovery is a courageous journey for sure, but a deeply rich, freeing and rewarding one. \u00a0The journey to know who we are is all rooted deeply and inextricably in God. \u00a0Through the divine lens of the love of God, we can be safely excavated and by the work of the Spirit, we not only discover who we really are but we can learn to accept and love who we are, and step out of the shadows into the light!<\/p>\n

Here are a couple of thoughts and some starting places to help you along your way.<\/h3>\n

1. What do you want most?\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0I am not talking about the fancy car, or winning the lottery! \u00a0Take some time to consider your deepest wants. \u00a0This could be to be loved, to love, a deep sense of personal meaning, rich relationships, to create something lasting or beautiful or something truly transcendent. \u00a0Whatever it is, look for those things that if everything else was stripped away, you could still be content.<\/p>\n

2. What do you think about most?<\/strong>\u00a0 What we spend the majority of time thinking about might give us a clue to the kinds of things that are genuinely important to us. \u00a0 While this may seem obvious in many cases, try reflecting upon why you like to spend time thinking about those things.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Note:<\/strong> Some thoughts can be toxic.\u00a0 These thoughts are often compulsive and tend to be fueled by fear, anger or some other kind of anxiety.\u00a0 While these kinds of thoughts are not directly indicators of your true self, they may be clues to help you uncover some areas of your life that are out of balance and in dealing with these fears and anxieties it may open up further insight to who you were created to be.<\/p>\n

3. How do you use your money and leisure time?<\/strong> \u00a0 The Bible tells us that where our treasure is so is our heart! \u00a0 Simply, a good indication of what is really important to us is how we use our resources, especially our time and money. \u00a0An honest reflection on where we spend our time and money can often be an effective tool to discern what we think is most important. \u00a0These, of course, can be life-giving or life-draining. \u00a0 If we see a pattern that is not healthy, we can ask ourselves why? \u00a0What is it we are trying to satisfy in our lives and is there a healthier way to do so? \u00a0 For example, if we are caught in keeping up with the Jones', asking ourselves why keeping up with them is so important to us and then look for healthier ways to satisfy those needs!<\/p>\n

4. Who do you spend your time with?<\/strong>\u00a0 This can be really hard one!\u00a0 Many of us will tolerate toxic relationships for the sake of companionship, identity or status.\u00a0 Take an honest look at your relationships.\u00a0 If they are full of drama, negativity and alike, you can bet you too will have similar traits.\u00a0 It is a good idea to find friends and build relationships with folks who are generally positive, share similar interests and like you for who you are.\u00a0 Look for folks who will encourage you to grow and make healthy choices without controlling and manipulating you to do so their way!<\/p>\n

5. Who and what do you admire?<\/strong>\u00a0 Have you ever stopped to consider the things you admire, respect and why?\u00a0 What is it about them that resonates with you?\u00a0 Perhaps it's courage, strength, talent, beauty, ideas, intellect, integrity or character.\u00a0 Consider allowing this inspiration to fuel the cultivation of those traits and gifts in your own life.<\/p>\n

Caveat<\/strong> - it has been said that the best heroes are dead ones because dead ones can't disappoint us!\u00a0 Remember, that even the coolest, noblest people are just that - people.\u00a0 Like you and I, they have strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n

6. What do you laugh at and what makes you cry?<\/strong> What kind of things genuinely move you?\u00a0 What are the kinds of things that cause you to erupt with loud guffaws and belly laughs, and what things touch your heart, releasing empathy and compassion?\u00a0 These can give us profound insight into who we are and where our passions lie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0_____________________<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Over time, and by reflecting on these simple starting places, we can begin to get a better understanding of who we are.\u00a0 Some things we may not like very\"pastor-care3\"<\/a> much. \u00a0 These can be in one of two categories; the first being we may not see it as cool or esteemed in our culture and circles of relationships.\u00a0 Second, they may be things that when we see them for what they really are, they are not all that appealing anymore and will motivate us towards change. Regardless, life is a maturing and changing.\u00a0 Our needs and wants change as we mature.\u00a0 The kinds of things that are important to us change.\u00a0 As we live life, we discover more of who we are and deal with both the pleasing and not so pleasant.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Don\u2019t miss this<\/strong>:<\/b> I really like to encourage folks to do this prayerfully.\u00a0 Invite God into this exploration, look for the things in your life that the Father may be breathing on<\/em>, those places in your life that you become aware of the presence of God.\u00a0 Don\u2019t feel the need to rush or to force things, rather, resting in God trust that the good work He began in you; He will see through to completion!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of the greatest adventures that many undertake is the journey of discovering who they really are as a person. \u00a0Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, said that the unexamined life is a waste of life itself but what does this really mean? \u00a0After all, we know what we like, what we think ... don't we? \u00a0We have our own personality Continue Reading<\/a>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[33],"tags":[58,99,179,348,445,554],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n