Tag Archives: self-awareness

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

Posted on by

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

—Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet & Sufi mystic

Image from Unsplash by Greg Rakozy

How often do you see yourself as small and insignificant? Depending on your perspective, you may see yourself as:

  • one vote among millions
  • one person among seven+ billion
  • one creature living on a tiny planet in a small solar system in one galaxy among trillions

If you are a fan of physics, you may also note that we live in one universe in a multiverse of infinite numbers.

Perhaps with those descriptions, you think I proved that we are even less than a drop in the ocean. But I suggest that instead you consider this:

Your body is composed of more cells than there are grains of sand on all the beaches in the world, and all the stars in our Milky Way galaxy, combined.

We are all made from star dust from super novas, and we possess the consciousness of knowing that is so.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully embrace the miracle of you?

With this far bigger and more powerful perspective, how can and will you relate to your place in the world and from the world within you?

“It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.”

Posted on by

“It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.”

—Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th Century German Philosopher

Image from Amazon.com

Can you recall any of the words from Madonna’s song, Material Girl? If you do remember a few words, I bet you can also recall the melody.

We do live in a material world in which dealing with our day-to-day physical environment is essential. For most people, life is filled with highs and lows, with varying levels of happiness along the way.

A surprising thing happens when we periodically move beyond or perhaps better said, within, to examine, discover, and explore our spiritual and soulful selves.

EXERCISE:

Beyond deepening your own spiritual practices, consider exploring the journey toward greater happiness within by reading, and studying the book, Toward a Meaningful Life. Perhaps discuss it with others in your life who are also ready for a deeper look around.

“There’s something in everybody that longs for that awakening to be more true to yourself.”

Posted on by

“There’s something in everybody that longs for that awakening to be more true to yourself.”

—Eckhart Tolle, Canadian spiritual teacher

Image from Unsplash by Alex Mares

Imagine you are about to take four separate road trips in your car:

The first is to your neighborhood shopping center.

The second is to a new part of town you have yet to visit.

The third is in a foreign country with a foreign language and road signs that are not in English.

Finally, you dare to take a road trip in a country where you need to drive on the opposite side of the road.

How alert would you be on each of these journeys? How awake would you need to be to arrive safely?

EXERCISE:

How can and will you journey far more deeply into your true self and awaken more fully to what awaits you there?

Caller ID for the voices in my head

Posted on by

“Can I get Caller ID for the voices in my head?”

—Author Unknown

Work on Caller ID technology began in the late 1960s, and eventually came to most of us between 1984 and 1989.

In 1995, call waiting technology arrived, to help us screen incoming calls when talking to someone else.

In a world that seems to always be trying to reach us, these boundary-setting technologies have helped a bit.

As many of us increase our self-awareness and mindfulness practices, no other outside influence compares to the almost constant voices in our heads. Many people experience considerable tugging and pulling in directions they would prefer not to go.

EXERCISE:

Where would gaining additional mastery of noticing your inner voice provide you with the greater peace of mind you desire?

When your feet start to hurt

Posted on by

“When your feet start to hurt, place yourself in someone else’s shoes.”

—Demi Lovato, American Singer-Songwriter

Image of Factfulness book cover

Image from Amazon.com

I recently finished reading Factfulness by Hans Rosling. The book’s subtitle really grabbed my interest: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong about the World – and Why Things are Better than You Think.

Through the latest socioeconomic data he challenges the reader to find themselves along the continuum of low, middle, and high income countries. What Lovato’s quote suggests is a day walking in the shoes of others when our lives seem so difficult.

The wonderful news is that compared to 20 or 50 years ago, we are phenomenally better off today.

EXERCISE:

Where could putting yourself in other people’s shoes help you be far more satisfied and appreciative of your life?

To learn more, consider checking out Hans Rosling’s TED Talk.

Be yourself and the right people will love you

Posted on by

“Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love you.”

—Author Unknown

Image of a smart phone showing no signal

Image from Wilson Amplifers

Did you know that in 2016 cell phone usage around the world was estimated at 62.9%? This number is expected to grow to almost 70% by 2019, when more than five billion people will be using them.

The numerous companies fighting for their share of this market all claim the best signals, widest coverage, and fastest speeds to attract more customers.

How often have you found yourself in a dead zone, with dropped calls and few or no bars on your screen? When that happens, most of us simply change our position, driving a bit further until we get back into signal range.

EXERCISE:

Instead of trying to connect with others by changing yourself, how could you boost your own authentic and powerful signal to attract the people who will love you?

The better you know yourself

Posted on by

“The better you know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world.”

—Toni Collette, Australian actress and musician

Image of "Soul Experience" book cover

Image from Amazon.com

If you were to rate yourself on your ability to create and sustain relationships, how would you score?

Take a look at your most closely held and cherished relationships and see what values and beliefs connect you to those people. The better you truly know and live these core values the better you can choose and navigate in your personal and professional communities.

This inner wisdom can help you better lead yourself and others who resonate with similar energies.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading the book Soul Experience – The 4th Level of Identity, by Al Killeen, to help you get to know yourself better.

Friday Review Self Awareness

Posted on by

Friday Review: Self Awareness

Self awareness is critical to growth. Here are a few posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the full message.

 

“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”

 

 

 

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.”

 

 

 

“Believe in yourself a little more.”

 

 

 

Its Got to Happen Inside First

Posted on by

“It’s got to happen inside first.”

—Jim Morrison, Late leader of The Doors

Image of a forest reflected in a lake

Image from Unsplash by Johannes Plenio

Over the last year or two you may have noticed a higher percentage of Quotable Coach posts related to self-awareness and general mindfulness.

The inner worlds of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions are fundamental to what occurs or potentially can occur in our outer worlds.

Observing your outer personal and professional communities can also clue you in to what those around you are thinking and feeling. It’s much like having super powers of x-ray vision and the ability to read minds.

EXERCISE:

How can you become far more masterful at navigating and exploring your own and others inner worlds as a first step to manifesting your most desirable outer realities?

Never Say Anything About Yourself

Posted on by

“Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.”

—Brian Tracy, Canadian-American Motivational Speaker/Author

Image from news247.gr

Self-talk is a fascinating subject.

We all do it, and given your interest in personal growth and development as a subscriber to this blog, you are more aware and mindful of this than many.

What percent of the time do you focus on the negative rather than positive side of your self-talk equation?

What if 50 percent of your internal conversations were beyond or beneath your awareness?

EXERCISE:

This week, enlist family, friends, and colleagues to help make you much more conscious of when you put your inner voice on external speakers.

Based on their feedback and input, determine exactly how many of these message you want to come true for you.

How can and will you enhance these messages to live a more positive and fulfilling life?