WEEKLY INSPIRATION - Knowing Oneself

"Actually, the hardest person in the world to know is oneself."

"...Many people simply do not want to know themselves. They will talk about other people and their problems, but they hide from themselves and will not face reality."

"You must see yourself as you really are and deal with yourself on that honest basis....self-examination."

p.9 of "You Can If You Think You Can"

So many thought provoking statements on one page!

(I thought this was important to focus on, especially as some of us spend the holidays reviewing our lives and what we can improve upon for the next year.)

We think we know who we are, what we want from others and out of life itself ...until we realize we don't, and we never did. 

One question, one statement, one word sometimes can change our entire outlook and make us question ourselves and everything about our life.

"Ugly"

"Dirty"

"Gorgeous"

"Bad mother"

"Mosty likely to succeed"

"I hate you."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Think of a time that someone said something really nasty to you...really embarrassing or hurtful...did it change your view of yourself, even if just for a second? Was it something real that you didn't want to face (or maybe still don't?)? Yes or no, many of us are sensitive and what other people say affect us. Unless you decide you won't let them. But remember, to not take things personally means negative AND positive statements. It means looking inside and focusing on who you are, no matter what someone else tells you.

"I am kind. I am beautiful. I have a good heart, and even if I make mistakes, which I will, I will strive to be better each day. And I will continue to show my loved ones affection and put more effort into telling them how much I care. I will become the best person I can be without putting pressure on myself. And those who make me cry don't matter, and those who matter won't make me cry. I will surround myself with people who help make my life better."