Being True to Yourself
It seems that as time goes on, there are more layers to peel off—expectations that we try to live up to every day, narratives that influence our perceptions of time and space, emotional baggage that brings gravity to our interactions. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right effort and intention, we can cast off all this weight and live like the wind.
How do you do this? The first step is deciding on a strong personal philosophy. Through life experiences and watching others, we form beliefs and ideas about how we should think and act, sometimes without interrogating these constructs and making the conscious decision on which are useful. But to do so consciously is an ultra-rare form of self-empowerment that provides the fuel for the steps ahead. A simple contemplation practice is excerpted below from our reader-favorite post from two years ago.
What is your personal philosophy?
Here is a practice to help you to identify and strengthen it:
- Reflect on the people that inspire you. What perspectives, qualities, beliefs or goals do they have that allows them to inspire you?
- Reflect on the people that don’t inspire you. What is keeping them from doing so? What can you learn from this?
- Think about people in your life who are genuinely happy. What do they do to maintain such a joyful outlook? Is it self-care, an unstoppably positive attitude, a fascination with life?
- What traits and beliefs lead to a balanced and sustainable society?
After reflecting on these prompts, decide what you feel is the most essential to emulate and hold close to your heart.
Conclusion
We all face challenges in life that bring into center stage the question of the firmness of our personal philosophy. Keeping that philosophy strong will make life so much easier. You will be able to distinguish what is right for you and your life, with no regrets later.
