It’s often been claimed that we have a herd mentality; that we’re too quick to follow without question; that we’re content to allow others to do our thinking for us; that we’re too willing to choose compliance to avoid conflict.
Doubtless there are times in our lives when such criticisms ring true. We can lose focus, direction and motivation. It’s at such times that it becomes essential that we reconnect with our true selves.
It’s our essential being – our true and distinctive self – that makes us different to everyone else. Our self is different to anyone else’s self. And it’s our self that not only makes us unique but also makes us special. More than that it makes us valuable.
Every individual is important. And every individual has a contribution to make. Denying the truth doesn’t diminish the truth it merely helps sustain the doubters.
There will always be doubters who are particularly keen to damage that which they fail to understand. Therefore it’s vitally important that the individual not only recognises but appreciates his sense of self.
It’s very much a personal quest. There are three people we must recognise and understand before we can fully appreciate those around us…those three people are me, myself and I. If we fail to see ourselves as unique, individual and worthwhile then it’s more than difficult to see the same in other people.
A lot of people spend a lot of time attempting to discover their reason for being. They expend a lot of emotional and physical energy on the question of “why” while overlooking the far more important “I”.
The “why” will take care of itself. It’s up to the individual to take care of the “I”. The “why” is retrospective; the “I” is introspective. One is beyond control, the other within reach.
Gary Bentley Counselling 