To know Thyself
"One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life, and there is nothing better."~Blaise Pascal
As Popeye so eloquently put it, "I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam."
Now there was a man, a salty sea dog who hated spinach, and had a thing for lanky skinny chicks with shrilly voices. Though his choice in women not withstanding, he was a man who I can look up to, a hero if you will. And the reasons why are simple... he knew who he was and he acted on it. He didn't care what bluto/brutus had up his ass. He downed that spinach and saved his girl. I kid a little bit, but one of the greatest lessons in life is trying to learn, discover, search, figure out, and understand who we are.
I don't think anyone ever truly gets to the end and learns everything about themselves. I think its a process that is organic; Alive. That is ever changing; Adapting. It would be great if there was a mirror that showed us who we really were, like in the NeverEnding Story when Atreyu has to pass the gates of the Southern Oracle. He must face who he really is inside. Or the mirror of Erised from Harry Potter that shows the true heart's desire. Though these items, as appealing as they may be, are a shortcut to a journey that is always worth the mileage.
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I would love to have one of these items. To be able to gaze into the depths and in one simple glance see who I am, it would be indescribable. But the fact is these items are a fraud. They cheat the viewer from the process of growth. Its only when we strap on our hiking boots, shoulder our backpacks, fill our canteens, and set out on the path of discovery do we actually discover who we are. Do we learn truths, some good , some bad.
I'd like to think that I know who I am, that each day this journey reveals a little more self awareness and shows good or bad that "I yam what I yam." and more importantly That I Am OK With That. I also know that I haven't even scratched the surface, and that who I am yesterday doesn't have to be who I am today, and who I am today doesn't have to dictate who I will be.
This is a journey that, I think is time, I set out on with Purpose.
As Popeye so eloquently put it, "I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam."
Now there was a man, a salty sea dog who hated spinach, and had a thing for lanky skinny chicks with shrilly voices. Though his choice in women not withstanding, he was a man who I can look up to, a hero if you will. And the reasons why are simple... he knew who he was and he acted on it. He didn't care what bluto/brutus had up his ass. He downed that spinach and saved his girl. I kid a little bit, but one of the greatest lessons in life is trying to learn, discover, search, figure out, and understand who we are.
I don't think anyone ever truly gets to the end and learns everything about themselves. I think its a process that is organic; Alive. That is ever changing; Adapting. It would be great if there was a mirror that showed us who we really were, like in the NeverEnding Story when Atreyu has to pass the gates of the Southern Oracle. He must face who he really is inside. Or the mirror of Erised from Harry Potter that shows the true heart's desire. Though these items, as appealing as they may be, are a shortcut to a journey that is always worth the mileage.
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I would love to have one of these items. To be able to gaze into the depths and in one simple glance see who I am, it would be indescribable. But the fact is these items are a fraud. They cheat the viewer from the process of growth. Its only when we strap on our hiking boots, shoulder our backpacks, fill our canteens, and set out on the path of discovery do we actually discover who we are. Do we learn truths, some good , some bad.
I'd like to think that I know who I am, that each day this journey reveals a little more self awareness and shows good or bad that "I yam what I yam." and more importantly That I Am OK With That. I also know that I haven't even scratched the surface, and that who I am yesterday doesn't have to be who I am today, and who I am today doesn't have to dictate who I will be.
This is a journey that, I think is time, I set out on with Purpose.