| I've been reading too much, and not writing enough...
This is a very important topic!
Knowing one's self enables that person to grow and adapt to any
situation.
I have found myself in various situations where I felt angry, sad,
depressed, et cetera. I decided that I didn't like those feelings
(bad for the digestion, you know...:-)) and I spent a LONG time
thinking about what triggered those reactions. I myself have been
able to realize what external simulae will activate particular
feelings. As a result, I am able to control my reactions better;
I don't lose my temper any where near as easy now, and so on. I
am less likely to be provoked to say or do something stupid.
Thinking about within is very rewarding...I find all my faults that
way (and I've got alot!)...now that I've identified them, I can
do something about them. As a result, I am more content with myself.
I believe that this helps me with my relationships with other people.
I used to do nice things for other people so that they will like
me. It took me a while to figure that out, because I didn't know
myself that well. Nowadays, I will be nice to someone because I
like that person, NOT in order to get that person to like me.
Can I tell you a story?
I'll tell you anyways...:-)
There is (or was) this very lovely lady that I know (or knew) for
whom I had the hots for. We became good friends, went out a couple
of times, and had lots of fun and great conversation. After a while,
I realized that any possible relationship (more than friends) would
be doomed to failure because of our different personalities. Rather
than ruin a wonderful relationship, I decided to remain just friends
and not pursue this lady's affections. (boring so far, isn't it?)
WELL, apparently she had the good sense to arrive at the same
conclusion and she told me so. WOW! I was crushed! I had already
decided that I didn't want here, but it really hurt when she told
me that she didn't me. I then realized what a fragile ego I had.
I thought about it and decided I didn't like that feeling. I made
a decision there to not be so sensitive about things like that.
I told my lady friend about my feelings, and we both had a good
laugh. I think I grew up a little more that day...
The Mad Chinaman
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| It seems to me that knowing yourself better than the people around
you know themselves could preclude a lot of potential relating.
For instance, if I say someone is "immature", I think I mean that
they know themselves less than I know myself. Similarly, someone
who knew themselves much better than I know myself might get the
label of "too serious"
I aim to know myself about as well as the people I want to relate
to know themselves. (Why does it seem like I have that backwards?)
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| There is also the thought that each of us has people around them who are
reflections of ourselves. We hate those who share our faults, and love those
who share our good points especially...
Some would go as far as to say that that *is* the purpose of the people around
us, and all else is the illusions that we think we have to build to make a
reality around us...
Jim.
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| > For instance, if I say someone is "immature", I think I mean that
> they know themselves less than I know myself. Similarly, someone
> who knew themselves much better than I know myself might get the
> label of "too serious"
> (Why does it seem like I have that backwards?)
As you yourself have pointed out there is something wrong here.
It is incorrect to assume that people who know themselves much
better than yourself should be labled "too serious". There are
examples of people who know themselves well and a lighthearted.
Zen masters have a sharp wit, Mother Theresa's a caring smile
and Richard Feynman an comic style yet all know themselves quite
well.
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