One of the most valuable assets we can have as a person is self – awareness. When we are self aware we are kinder to ourselves, know when we need a break and have greater understanding of our own strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness is the beginning of emotional intelligence, as we are able to “check in” to our emotions and reactions, which is hugely beneficial to our overall health and the quality of our relationships.
Here are some other benefits of being self aware:
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 can encourage others to play to their strengths –The world is full of talented people. When we find out how we are “wired” it also helps us to recognize how others are excelling so we can also encourage them to 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. Being self aware helps us to be aware of our negative thoughts and emotions and helps us to choose what we are thinking and focusing on most. The bible says, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) 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 be self aware enough to know 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 means we are more aware of our emotions and responses. We gain the ability to act and respond consciously instead of reacting, or should I say “over-reacting” to people and events.
Today if you realize that you haven’t been in touch with your thoughts, emotions and spiritual and physical state, then I encourage you to take some time to check-in on yourself. I recommend trying Morning pages as it’s a great way to do that – https://daylekinney.com/2019/03/02/2-march-the-power-of-writing-it-down/
Write down your thoughts as you ask God to reveal what has been going on in your internal world – what you have been thinking and feeling, and then work through any issues that may arise as you reap the benefits of a renewed self awareness.
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16 ESV)
Prayer: Lord thank you for who you have made me to be. Please help me to be more self aware, to work to my strengths, lean on you and work through any issues or weaknesses and learn to be kinder to myself. In Jesus Name Amen
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