LOOKING GLASS SELF?

Read a very interesting and informative article about self-actualization. It says, that to be self-actualized is to accept yourself for what you are and other people for what they are.

Self-actualized people are spontaneous, natural, and concerned with ethical and human values, disliking falseness and often having a mission, or a cause in life. A very important quality of self-actualization is autonomy, or independence. This strength is steaming from plenty of love and respect in the past, so that the person "is free to act relatively independently of these needs in the present." At the same time, the relationships self-actualizers develop may be more profound than those of other people. They identify strongly with humanity and work to stop unjust and dehumanizing conditions. For these people, life is so meaningful.

Among other qualities that stand out in a self-actualized individual are creativity, originality, and a positive attitude toward important tasks.

Are you a self-actualized person?

THE VALUE OF SELF-RELIANCE

It is synonymous to the word independence, or the phrase “to rely on one’s own resources”.

There are lots of ways by which one can develop self-reliance. It is actually a learning process. It can be learned through experience, from observing others, from being you, communications, contacts with other people, media, and from values handed down to us by our folks. To have self-reliant is to have self-confidence, respect, integrity, and the ability to do things with dignity and pride.

I have fond memories of my childhood, which I always share with my children; experiences that have taught me many things—moral, spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual. I became more inclined to believe that self-reliance is one thing we do not achieve overnight. We have to work hard to achieve it. Experiences, positive or negative give us deeper meaning and understanding of ones ability to cope with different situations, thus, developing self-confidence.

Growing up in a closely-knit neighborhood, where everybody seemed to treat each other as brothers and sisters, my siblings and I were taught the values of self-esteemed and independence. We were taught to feel, act, and behave independently. I was ten years old when I started to realize the value of being self-reliant. In doing so, it gave me confidence to do things, even at their meanest form, wholeheartedly. At this stage, other children tend to spend time playing with friends, doing naughty things, exploring, and experimenting. But it was totally different for me, I felt bad wasting time. I became very enterprising, always kept looking for things to do just around the neighborhood for a small fee. It made me happy to please everybody. Cleaning houses, washing dishes, baby-sitting, ironing clothes, just name it and I could do it.

Self-reliance is one of the keys of my success in life.