The Joys of Being Interested in Yourself

by DKashyap

The Joys of Being Interested in Yourself

Interest is the prerequisite for achieving meaningful awareness about anything and anyone and its place in the world. The same principle applies to us in relation to our ‘selves’ and our place in the world around us.

When I say take interest in yourself I don’t mean it in a narcissistic way, where you cannot see the world beyond your nose. What I mean is that you should be extremely interested in the functioning of your own mind. Imagine if we spent even half of the energy in thinking about our own views of ourselves, others and life, than what people think of us, others and life. I am certain that when the focus of our study is our ‘selves,’ we’ll be able to tap into the most exquisite and beautiful layers and complexities of our minds.

“Why do I do this?” “Why do I do it this way?” “Are my reactions to the unpleasant realities, equally unpleasant for me?” “What are the ideas behind my emotional responses to people and things and events?” “Do I ask for enough evidence before I say, I ‘believe’…?” It’s important to ask these questions without an unkind word or a phrase for oneself. Sentences like “I am so stupid/dumb/f*%&$/helpless” are counterproductive.

Try resisting the pull to moralize and concentrate to analyze.

This enquiry into the inner world is successful only when it’s compassionate and accepting of our ‘selves’. When you turn the light of awareness about the ‘self’ brighter, you’ll discover all sorts of things about yourselves; some amazing, some not so amazing and some areas which need immediate and loving attention and fixing. Most people would avoid self-awareness because of the dangers of knowing things they have been actively avoiding about themselves and of facing the thoughts they won’t even admit to themselves. However, the other powerful side of self-awareness that is not understood is that, it comes with the realization of the tremendous power one has, to alter aspects of oneself.

Even if one finds out major areas of disappointments and “disgrace,” one should accept them and work towards changing them. Acceptance of negative aspects of oneself or one’s behavior is not the same as appreciating them. Acceptance is the first sympathetic and kind step to changing the undesirable attitudes and habits one might have developed as a case of neglect and abandonment of one’s ‘self.’ Once these ineffective and undesirable facets are brought in the light then changing them is only a matter of time and practice, sometimes even with the assistance of professional help of a psychological counselor.

I reiterate that kindness, self-acceptance and compassion are the only tools that will truly make this journey of being interested and aware in oneself joyful.