A Prompt On Self-Growth

Source

Are you familiar with the ancient phrase at the entrance of an oracle at Delhi - "Man Know Thyself"?
This command is one of the backbones of philosophy and that sits rightly with the traits of philosophers; curiosity.

You probably won't know it since it's not exactly common knowledge - unless you listened in GS classes. I didn't. I lifted this from an article on a magazine page that's currently on the cooking table at home. At some point in a person's life, they're drawn or forced to make this journey. What usually sparks this revolves around themes of losses, defeat or well, breakups.

I was forced into mine after a really hurtful breakup and the way I struggled was nearly surreal. It cut so deep 'cos I hadn't expected it and was falling apart.
That's why I just wanna say how nice it's been to see the actual workings of my self-discovery/self-learning come to play in nearly everything. I'd go deeper into this in another post but here are a few upsides I've had.

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I no longer feel claustrophobic when I'm at a crowded place or have to engage more than 3 people in conversation. In fact, I like the attention. With just the right factors like my looks or ability to talk, my confidence doesn't waver so much.

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Another thing I battled with was inferiority complex. It's something I think stands out every now and then when we feel inadequate or outmatched. We spiral into comparisons between ourselves and abilities against someone else's. I still feel this way but not for longer than a heartthrob.

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The path to making such discoveries is easier to think and speak of, than to actually do. It's kind of like what happens at New Year's Eve with resolutions, only to find out later that we took on more than was realistically possible.

And that's okay because you've realised, as has the mind. It tends to temporarily sheave off load it thinks you can't carry. While you still have your goals in mind, it will have helped to break them into digestible blocks.

Then one by one, without tracking, thinking about or expecting it, they'll be ticking off. And on a fine day, you'll find that your reaction to a particular situation is different. Good different.

Oh how you would smile - externally and otherwise.

The joy and satisfaction that comes from good results in these ends come next to none. It's intangible and doesn't necessarily come with physical awards like plaques or medals.
But that awareness gives you hope for better days, encouragement to continue, and a welling heart.

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A lot of people are on this path, each with individual trials. If you're taking on something like this and it feels like you're successfully hitting dead ends - because it will - it's part of the process. It doesn't really have an end but you shouldn't overthink that either. Eventually, the pieces will come together or make sense while apart.

I do hope that you're able to identify your moments of 'fresh air' and allow yourself to truly take it in. It is a struggle for one person but you mustn't feel alone. There'll always be fog lights to guide you when things get uncertain or discouraging.

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On a final note.

We're not very different from the 'selves' we have to discover. We were once on our A-game but for some reason, got lost on the way. So no, it's not an unattainable part of you.

Also...

You don't have to wait for a terrible breakup to ease you into the process. It's even better if you start before then. That way, you have more of your sanity intact.

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This is something I wrote on a prompt but I hope you at least understood what you read.

As always, thank you for stopping by.

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💮💮💮