One of the most valuable assets we can have as a person is self – awareness. Self-awareness is said to be the beginning of emotional intelligence. Of course we all know who we are to some degree, but being able to “check in” on our emotions and reactions is of great benefit to both ourselves and those around us.
To encourage you to work on being more self aware here are some of the benefits:
1: We Play To our Strengths –While we can be competent in many areas, it is tough to be great at everything. Being more self aware allows us to focus our time and energies on what we do best. The result is we feel better about ourselves and gain the ability and perspective to love the person God has made us to be.
2: We Get Others Playing To Their Strengths –The world is full of talented people. When we find out how we are “wired” it then helps us to recognize how others are excelling so that we can help them focus on what they do best. We don’t have to be in competition, but can compliment one another.
3: We are authentically happy, rather than pretending we are therefore having a deeper experience and enjoyment of life. Being self aware helps us to be aware of negative thoughts and emotions, giving us the opportunity to choose to focus and emphasize positive ones. Neurological studies reveal toxic thoughts are able to be “unstuck” from our thought patterns and brains, and be replaced with ones we want to have. But first we need to have self awareness of what we are thinking about.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
4: We Think Before We Act – Being self aware helps us gain the ability to act and respond consciously, instead of reacting or should I say “over-reacting” to people and events.
Being self aware means we are also far kinder to ourselves, know when we need a break, can make changes where necessary and have greater understanding of our own strengths and weaknesses. I’ve realized over time that if I’m not being particularly self aware I will push myself too hard and not realize when my emotions or thoughts are dictating to me negatively.
Today if you realize that you haven’t been in touch with your thoughts, emotions or spiritual and physical state then take some time over the next few days to “check up” on yourself. Ask God help, because He knows you better than anyone else, to reveal what has been going on in your internal world and reap the benefits of renewed self awareness.
Prayer: Lord thank you for who you have made me to be. Help me to be more self aware, to process things appropriately and to be gentler and kinder to myself. In Jesus Name Amen
Comments