"Discovering yourself" was a phrase that meant little to me. It usually brought to mind a deep philosophical reflection, and involved sessions of introspection and concentration. Not that I'm against any of that, but I didn't feel very equal to that task.
But then, I discovered that discovering myself involved a much simpler process. It means, seeing how you hold up and face life's challenges.
You discover your own strength, when you figure out how to move on from a failed exam, a bad betrayal, or even something as trivial as burnt cooking.
You discover true compassion, when you're able to put aside your own troubles, as heavy as they are, to be your friend's shoulder when they need you.
You discover patience, when after a hundred rejections from jobs, you apply for the hundred and first, with the same enthusiasm and sense of hope.
You discover independence, when you push yourself back from the brink of depression and hopelessness, and find yourself stronger than ever.
You discover a capacity for deep love, when your troubles seem unimportant when that one person really needs you
These may not be huge challenges, but I think that if you pass these tests, then you find that you have the strength and the character to fight the huger battles in life, and at least make it out of them alive.
You don't always need philosophy or deep reflection to "discover yourself". You just need to be aware, and be strong enough not to break under all the blows life deals you. Also try to get some hits back, if you can. These lines from the poem Invictus have always inspired me:
"I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul"
But then, I discovered that discovering myself involved a much simpler process. It means, seeing how you hold up and face life's challenges.
You discover your own strength, when you figure out how to move on from a failed exam, a bad betrayal, or even something as trivial as burnt cooking.
You discover true compassion, when you're able to put aside your own troubles, as heavy as they are, to be your friend's shoulder when they need you.
You discover patience, when after a hundred rejections from jobs, you apply for the hundred and first, with the same enthusiasm and sense of hope.
You discover independence, when you push yourself back from the brink of depression and hopelessness, and find yourself stronger than ever.
You discover a capacity for deep love, when your troubles seem unimportant when that one person really needs you
These may not be huge challenges, but I think that if you pass these tests, then you find that you have the strength and the character to fight the huger battles in life, and at least make it out of them alive.
You don't always need philosophy or deep reflection to "discover yourself". You just need to be aware, and be strong enough not to break under all the blows life deals you. Also try to get some hits back, if you can. These lines from the poem Invictus have always inspired me:
"I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul"
