The Spiritual Path to Self-Awareness

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)

Being a Grandparent is meaningful because you can watch your child raise their child. It is rewarding when you hear your words coming out of their mouth. It is humbling when they make decisions you would not choose. The fun part of watching the process is witnessing your child bring self-awareness and emotional maturity to the grandchild you love. There is pride and joy in knowing the values you imparted are being shared with the next generation.

In "The Single Most Important Life Skill-And How You Can Build It," Anthony J. Yeung believes, "The most important life skill is self-awareness- and it's one of the rarest qualities of all." Yeung proves his statement by quoting researcher Tasha Eurich, Ph.D., "We've found that even though most people believe they are self-aware, self-awareness is a truly rare quality: We estimate that only 10%-15% of the people we studied actually fit the criteria." How do we define it if it is so rare and vital to a meaningful life?

Yeung defines self-awareness as "your ability to detect your own behaviors, thoughts, and feelings." When my grandsons get out of control, as only a 3- and 4-year-old can, mom and dad say, "Use your words. What are you feeling?" Life is one long practice session, and I've watched the boys improve their answers as they respond each time. As we age and continue to mature, we should ask ourselves the questions good parents ask their children. When you get frustrated or anxious, say to yourself, "Use your words. What are you feeling?" When we know our thoughts and emotions, we can better respond faithfully and with integrity to God and the world.

Today, practice Anthony Yeung's recommendation. We realize self-awareness in daily life. You can read and think through the process of integrity. Still, self-awareness will continue to allude you unless you can focus on your positives and courageously recognize areas requiring growth. We all fall short of our expectations and God's perfection, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in self-awareness, leading to a deeper awareness of God working in and through us. That same Spirit will guide your child in raising their child.