Reflecting

Sometimes I wish I had a shrink. We all have issues, idiosyncrasies, and kinks that we'd like to work out of ourselves. I am certainly no exception. Prayer and conversations with confidants is helpful indeed, but oftentimes deep personal reflection is what ultimately elucidates answers. We know our own selves better than anyone else, so why not own up and get real with the truth?

While a shrink may facilitate this process, learning to truly understand your thoughts and behaviors can be done solo. For some people, quiet time and meditation is all that it takes. If I was put alone in a quiet room, I can guarantee that such an environment would not lend itself to deep discoveries and achievement of inner peace. I would be more likely to let my mind wander, creating a list of things to do and an exact plan with where to start once I got released from the metaphorical room.

In an effort to "self-discover" I perused the "self help/motivational" section of the bookstore at the suggestion of a friend who gave me the name of the book that changed her life. I felt out of place in that section, self-conscious that a stranger would pass me off as someone with issues. Mostly, I felt naked. Truthfully we all are, some better disguised by outfits of confidence. I apparently was especially lacking in confidence as evidenced by my reflex to grab a copy of "The Last Lecture," a "normal" book that any "normal" person would read. Ridiculous, I know. In any case, I found the book and prepared for it to rock my world.

After reading the introduction, I was hooked. I won't try to explain the premise (in fear of underselling its power), but I will say that for someone who thrives on both structure and simplicity, this strikes the perfect balance. I am only scratching the surface, but I already feel like I'm making breakthrough progress. It's pretty liberating to shed insight on even the most petty of problems, being open and honest throughout the process. I am so grateful for my friend's recommendation and could not wait to share with you all. You don't have to be going through a devastating event. You don't have to be laden with things you despise. You simply have to be open minded and willing to find freedom through "Loving What Is" (by Byron Katie). Enjoy your journey!