In this post I want to provide you with two simple, but not simplistic steps to taking control of your own life.
1. The first is to grow in self awareness.
It is not possible to take control of your own life without being at least a little self aware. self awareness is being awake to yourself. It is knowing what you feel and what you think at any given moment. This is not an easy thing to do! It is difficult to be aware of your emotions and thoughts 24/7 – but it is also not impossible.
Some writers would have us believe that we need to be TOTALLY self aware, but this ties us up in an all or nothing way of being (and this is a goal that is too out of reach) – we need to start where we are and grow from there.
Exercise:
Take a moment to stop right now: think about how you feel emotionally right now in this moment. How are you feeling? Is your heart beating fast or soft? What words or pictures are filling your mind right now? Allow yourself to observe your own thoughts and feelings.
Are you surprised by what you think and feel?
Are you learning anything about how you think or feel?
Do you often think and feel what you do in this moment?
Doing an exercise like this may help you to understand and know yourself better. Try this as often as you can in the next few weeks – see what you might learn about yourself.
2. Take Responsibility for your Growth:
When we are aware of our thoughts and feelings we are in a place where we can take responsibility for them. Our thoughts and feelings feed our actions. When we are aware of these we are in a stronger position to choose how to act. Do you ever lose your temper quickly?- perhaps this is the result of not knowing your thoughts and feelings before you act.
Responsibility could be describes as the ability to respond appropriately to a given situation or scenario. More on this in the next blog post. Until then, may you grow in awareness of your thoughts and emotions in order to grow as a person and enjoy life to the full.
Stuart Writing 