Friday Focus: Embrace Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is something that we should all train. It's a skill that is more beneficial than many people may think. Self-awareness is the precursor of intentional action. Think about it. If you aren't aware of what you are doing wrong, then you can't make improvements as you don't know you are doing something wrong in the first place. Also, if you aren't aware you are doing something correctly, then you won't keep repeating this action. Journaling could be a good way to review your day or week.  Taking time to sit with yourself in silence is also important to incorporate in your routine. You could use some of this silent alone time to think about your desires, everything going on in your head, and all your actions and behavior patterns. The idea of reviewing your day is discussed in the book "the prayer that changes everything: Discovering the Power of St. Ignatius Loyola's Examen" by Jim Manney.

Practice self-awareness and then take action. See if you feel different. See if you feel better. Self-awareness can uplift you over the distractions of your everyday life. It can help you set meaningful, beneficial, and fulfilling goals to strive for. Additionally, it can bring you freedom if you allow it to. If you fear truly knowing yourself, that's perfectly okay. You have to choose to move forward even when you have fear. Your comfort zone can expand. Things will be uncomfortable at first, but keep striving to improve yourself no matter if you are fearful or uncomfortable. Feel the wide range of emotions you may experience as you are human. Feelings and emotions are normal. They are healthy. Their meanings are neutral. It is what you do with these emotions that truly matters. Don't bury the emotions or act out on them rashly. Make sure to use your rationality when deciding how to move forward. Be self-aware and change for the better! You can do it!