The other day I had a flash of insight. When I think of myself, I usually still picture the 23 year-old excited-for-life but new-to-the-world guy. My flash of insight – I’m 32 and I am the person that I previously looked up to. Now, 23 year-olds are looking at me with those same eyes. What kind of wisdom do you have? What kind of dreams and goals are reachable? What should I do now to become the fullest person I should be? For a moment, I saw myself as those young people see me. Someone who has just been down the road they are travelling, wiser but still learning, dreaming but more realistic…
So I’ve encountered people in my life with a false self-image. A self-image that is not accurate. They see something different than is really there. Sometimes its the physical person they see, sometimes its the mental or emotional person.
The sad part about this is that you can’t make someone see themselves from your perspective.
So I picked out a few of my favourite suggestions for helping yourself see who you truly are:
– Try a little humility. Humility is neither thinking too highly of yourself nor thinking too lowly. When you think you are right,
– Stop focusing on yourself. A lot of pessimism arises from false or unreasonable expectations, especially when those expectations involve yourself. (Wikihow: Change Your Attitude)
–Count your blessings. Post up a blank sheet of paper on your wall, or use a journal. Every morning, as soon as you’ve woken up, think of one blessing in your life that hasn’t already been written on the paper and write it down. Counting your blessings will help you see that your life isn’t all doom and gloom, that you have reasons to be happy and joyful. (Wikihow: Change Your Attitude)
– Befriend optimistic people. Sometimes a poor attitude is a result of being surrounded by others with poor attitudes. As it has been said, “Bad company corrupts good character.” Consider befriending new people, especially people who are optimistic and have a healthy attitude towards life. (Wikihow: Change Your Attitude)
