Introspection
How's that for a cringe-worthy word?
I've realized that I'm in the same position I was almost exactly two years ago. The cast and characters have changed a bit, but the scenery and storyline are too close to the same. It was an ugly place then, and it's uglier now, because I clearly didn't learn what I needed to last time around, so here I am again.
It occurs to me that when one keeps coming across the same problems and issues, it's time for a good, honest look in the mirror. Introspection. Sometimes what you see isn't pretty, and sometimes it's more simple than you thought.
So here I am, back where I was then. What, or rather WHO, is the common denominator? ME.
Introspection.
The tricky thing is to look at onesself from a purely honest, accurate viewpoint. It's hard to be objective about your own issues! Writing things down helps me to process and follow through, so I'll write my thoughts on how to do that here.
Introspection is effective when it is:
*Without blame.
The point is not to look at what everyone else's part is in the situation, except maybe to learn from them. The point is seeing what my part is, and what I could have done differently, and what I can do from now on.
*Without guilt.
This is a tough one. Guilt and I are close friends. But guilt is not constructive, it's destructive, so there's no place for it.
*Without comparison.
Thinking that someone else might handle the problem better (or worse) is irrelevant. Someone else having more difficult (or easier) trials is only perception. Our strengths and weaknesses are unique to each of us.
*Without rose-colored glasses.
If we can't see things for what they are, we can't identify the patterns that we need to change.
*With optimism.
If we can't see things for what they are, we can't identify the patterns that we need to change. If we don't have hope that change can happen and that it can make a difference, the change won't happen, or won't last
*With forgiveness.
for ourselves, and others.
That's just some of the stuff that's been on my mind lately. More later. . .
| introspection | |
noun | |
| the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct |
I've realized that I'm in the same position I was almost exactly two years ago. The cast and characters have changed a bit, but the scenery and storyline are too close to the same. It was an ugly place then, and it's uglier now, because I clearly didn't learn what I needed to last time around, so here I am again.
It occurs to me that when one keeps coming across the same problems and issues, it's time for a good, honest look in the mirror. Introspection. Sometimes what you see isn't pretty, and sometimes it's more simple than you thought.
So here I am, back where I was then. What, or rather WHO, is the common denominator? ME.
Introspection.
The tricky thing is to look at onesself from a purely honest, accurate viewpoint. It's hard to be objective about your own issues! Writing things down helps me to process and follow through, so I'll write my thoughts on how to do that here.
Introspection is effective when it is:
*Without blame.
The point is not to look at what everyone else's part is in the situation, except maybe to learn from them. The point is seeing what my part is, and what I could have done differently, and what I can do from now on.
*Without guilt.
This is a tough one. Guilt and I are close friends. But guilt is not constructive, it's destructive, so there's no place for it.
*Without comparison.
Thinking that someone else might handle the problem better (or worse) is irrelevant. Someone else having more difficult (or easier) trials is only perception. Our strengths and weaknesses are unique to each of us.
*Without rose-colored glasses.
If we can't see things for what they are, we can't identify the patterns that we need to change.
*With optimism.
If we can't see things for what they are, we can't identify the patterns that we need to change. If we don't have hope that change can happen and that it can make a difference, the change won't happen, or won't last
*With forgiveness.
for ourselves, and others.
That's just some of the stuff that's been on my mind lately. More later. . .
posted by The Rummler Family at
11:31 AM
3 Comments:
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today. Thanks for sharing a little piece of you...I love it everytime you write.
P.S. I would love to take pictures of the girls...just tell me a time that works for you!
I love it when you post...
Where do you come up with this? That is so inspiring, Jen. I had to read it over and over because there was so much there to think about...thanks for posting this because it's exactly what I needed to read!
I echo what Chelsea and Rhonda said. Thank you so much for sharing.
I am always amazed at what Eve said in the garden of Eden (this is relevant, I promise). She says, "It is better for us that we should pass through sorrow that we might know good from evil." or in Moses she says, "Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient." She says so little, but her understanding of the plan of salvation had to be deep and extensive for her to say something so profound.
I love that reading this post, and many of your others, your understanding and insights are clearly hundreds of times deeper than you say. Thank you SO much for posting your thoughts and for leaving enough room to get my thoughts going.
I love you...thank you!
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