Friday, November 18, 2011

Seeing Ourselves Clearly

A few nights ago, I was watching an episode of Sex and the City on DVD and found myself inspired by one of the questions that Carrie Bradshaw typed on her Mac laptop….

And it’s true, it is easier to see someone else more clearly than we do ourselves.

I remember many years ago when one of my friends described me as someone who was INTENSE.

And I was shocked! Me? Intense?

For some reason I never really saw myself that way, therefore retaliated intensively, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN INTENSE? I’M NOT INTENSE!!!!”

Years later, I began to see that he was right, I am intense. But for some reason back then, I associated the word intense only with something negative. I now realize that intense can also mean passionate, which I am.

But why is it that we can see others more clearly than we do ourselves?

I think the answer is because we’re standing too close; unable to look above and see ourselves from a birds eye view. We’re so busy trying to be ourselves, that we can’t always see objectively.

I use to always pride myself on being able to see myself crystal clear, but discovered that it was a false pride because the view I have of myself is often times clouded by judgment and comparison.

I remember a time when someone referred to me as attractive. Well, you could have knocked me over the head with a rubber mallet because I never thought of myself as being attractive. So the first thing out of my mouth was, “Attractive? Compared to who?"

And even now, at this stage of my life, I am still bowled over when someone will reveal something to me about myself that I’ve never noticed.

Now I’m not saying that I have to agree with everything everyone says, but it does give me the chance to see myself in a different light.

This also pertains to making choices about things. I have a few friends, who if I’m having a difficult time making a decision about something, will ask for their advice.

I think it’s important to stay open to how people who we respect view us.

Because they might just see something we don’t.

Have wonderful weekend everyone!

X