Do You Know Yourself?

"There are three Things extremely hard, Steel, a Diamond, and to know one's self."
– Benjamin Franklin

As you go on day to day, from one year to another, what is it that you are working towards? Is what you’re doing taking you closer to where you want to be, or is it taking you further and further? Look at your superiors (boss, parents, pastor, mentor, etc.), and think of whether you would want to be like them someday, or do you get excited envisioning yourself as somebody else? Some of you may have wonderful leaders in your life whom you aspire to, but some of you do not. If you hate the job of your manager, but are working towards that position yourself, chances are, you are probably not heading in the direction you want.

Many people expend most of their energy into serving the demands of family, community and society, and never take the time to ponder on the unique person they are, and what their unique purpose in life is. Perhaps, because these questions often do not give us straightforward answers is why we shy away from them. However, do the questions actually tell us more than simple answers could? Are we working so hard to please the (sometimes unspoken) expectations of our family, community & society that we are feeling listless and sometimes wonder what the meaning of life is?

Of course, having a sense of belonging is an important motivator in our lives. We all want to be part of community, and that desire is not a bad one. But, have you pretended to like something just because everyone in the group likes that? Are you in a job or studying a degree that you would have never picked for yourself, outside the influence of friends, family or society? Are you doing something just because it seems like the “Australian” (or Asian or Hispanic, etc.) thing to do?

Sometimes, it is our responsibilities (children, house, etc.) which have got us to pursue a career path we are not the least excited about. And since we’ve been stuck in it for such a long time, is it realistic to think we could ever get out of the rut? “I’ve got bills to pay and mouths to feed, you know!”

Yet, you do owe it to yourself, and to those around you, to get to know yourself, so you can live authentically and passionately. Knowing yourself does not always mean throwing away your career, family & community, but it does mean thinking of things in a different way and perhaps, doing things in a different way. Work out what you are passionate about and gifted in, and you could approach your current job with a whole different angle. If serving others is a passion of yours, think of your work as you contributing to others’ lives or to the order of things, and fuel your passion for work with the thoughts and attitudes that align better with your philosophy of life. That would affect greatly how you treat others and improve your sense of satisfaction from what you are doing.

For those of you who do not yet have a whole lot of responsibilities, rethinking your life and making the choices towards getting where you truly want to get is something you would want to consider. You are unique, and only you can fill the role that you are supposed to fill. If you do not, others who need you are missing out on that! Do yourself and others a favour and get to know yourself today.

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Lainey Weiss, General Counsellor (on Student Placement)
BEng (Hons), GDipTheol, GDipCouns(c)
T. 9639 3875; 0423 387 182; E. lainey@counselcc.net.au

http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.