No more shadow chasing

People tend to be blind to the things that happen to other people. It’s easy to chase your shadow; unfortunately, it keeps you looking down! With light comes reflection, with reflection comes inspection, and thorough inspection, you realize you can look to the sky with a burning Eye with clear objectives and an enlightened perspective. 

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter.” ~ Confucius

For me, Self-Reflection is the way to remove inner roadblocks, first to become aware of the things that were holding me back and then tackle them by finding a solution. Of course, writing it down in a personal journal is the best way to do it. It’s also interesting to do with a good friend who is open enough to take part. Some psycho-therapy forms are similar to this approach, where you have a hopefully competent listener reflecting on you and guiding you to a finally self-found solution.

This is how bringing inner roadblocks or wishes to the light is one of the most important things to do for personal inner growth. It’s one of the best ways to attain clarity and by that immense power.

“How can I make more time for myself and my family?” (opposed to “Why do I have no time for myself and my family?”)

Or

“How can I get more energy?” (opposed to “Why do I have no energy?”)

If you found an excellent answer to your initial question, you now have the power to work from this new knowledge and make a very positive and pleasing change. The realization alone will have a very positive impact. Maybe it means you have to stop something or intensify something. Whatever it is, using this self-attained knowledge is the key now. So you conclude and make a decision. Commit to the decision, which should be pretty straightforward since it is in harmony with the answer you got to your question during Self-Reflection.

Reflection vs. Action

I want to close this post with a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who said: “Never by reflection but only by doing is self-knowledge possible to one.” While this first seems like a contradiction to the process of Self-Reflection, it is not. The reason to do Self-Reflection is to be more effective in the doing. As I described, I see it as cleaning my inner space, getting an answer, and then using this knowledge, testing it in reality by doing. Maybe I get a better solution or even a better question later, but I made real progress along the way.
Rest, Recuperate, Research, Review, Consider, Evaluate, Examine, Contemplate, educate, reboot, and execute! 

No more shadow chasing! Look up to life! Look up, for He is above! 

May this Sunday God help you fulfill all your dreams that your heart cherished. May God help you in every step of your life. Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday.

Rev. Gerald F. Poe Jr.

Defender of the Faith Ministry