Inspired by NaBloPoMo writing prompt for Thursday, March 20, 2014:
Benjamin Franklin said: “There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.” Do you think you know yourself well?
In a word… yes. I would have to say that I DO know myself well.
Getting there wasn’t hard – at least, not for me. I tend towards introspection and self-examination (some might say navel-gazing), and delight in digging deeper, getting to the heart of things, trying to figure out the why behind my thoughts, feelings, and actions. (And after living through several decades with these inclinations, I’d be surprised if I didn’t know myself well!)
No, it wasn’t hard to get there. But being there – being in the place of knowing myself well, understanding the why, and, sometimes, dealing with the frustration of powerlessness over aspects of who I am – can be very hard indeed. Hard to stomach, hard to accept, hard to fathom.
For the most part, I’m glad and grateful that I am the kind of person who knows myself well. And I wouldn’t want it to be any different.
But yes, sometimes it’s hard.
How about you? Do you think you know yourself well?
Please share!
Twitter: citrusspiceuk
March 20, 2014
We all think we know our selves and then you discover something new in certain circumstances.
Nayna Kanabar ( recently posted… Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup~5-2 diet
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 20, 2014
Interesting point! I guess there’s always room for surprise.
Laurel Regan recently posted… (Almost) Wordless Wednesday – On Perspective
Twitter: claudoo
March 20, 2014
Great point. I’m always so surprised when people AREN’T self aware but lots of the people I meet haven’t a clue who they really are.
Claudia Schmidt recently posted… Exercise Reduces Breast Cancer Risk For All Women
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 20, 2014
Same here!
Laurel Regan recently posted… (Almost) Wordless Wednesday – On Perspective
I do think I know myself. I do know my Why and where I want to be. I don’t think that knowing ourselves makes things easier but I do think the knowing the why allows us to keep our focus. Great thought provoking post
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 20, 2014
I think you’re right, Kathy.
Laurel Regan recently posted… (Almost) Wordless Wednesday – On Perspective
Twitter: linkedlocalnet
March 21, 2014
Knowing oneself is an ongoing process.
Fred Mcmurray recently posted… Do You Have Grit?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 21, 2014
So true!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Blogging from A to Z Challenge? I’m in!
Twitter: LindaBrendle
March 21, 2014
Laurel, I know myself pretty well now, but it took years to get there. In the early years of my life, I spent to0 much time worrying about what other people wanted me to be rather than learning who I really was–silly co-dependent! 🙂
Blessings,
Linda
Linda Brendle recently posted… Book Trailers – Mine Is Coming April 14 | by Linda Brendle
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 21, 2014
I’m glad you’re getting to know yourself these days! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Blogging from A to Z Challenge? I’m in!
I think I do know myself pretty well. Accepting my flaws is the hard part. But you know, as I get older, I am learning to love all of me. xo
Karen recently posted… Groovebook: A Groovy Little iPhone App!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
March 22, 2014
Same here! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Blogging from A to Z Challenge? I’m in!
Trackbacks: