KNOW THYSELF

“Know thyself” is an ancient Greek aphorism that has been quite common-place through the ages.

Understanding the very essence of our being or the essence of our very existence should be at the very top of our quest – to know.

Exploration of our self, personality, traits and inherent tendencies is in fact the foremost and (to my view) the greatest feat of exploration.

To come to a better understanding of the world, its people and in fact the Universe, we must first come to an understanding of our very own person.

African parenting and societal norms often dictates that (if need be) we must sacrifice and suppress our very own make-up in order to live by certain ideals, values or even live to the dictates and after others. An example of this has seen parents often dictating the career choices of the children. The western world is in itself also not exempt from this abhorrent act of pushing others to abide by certain Norms and (unwritten) edicts even when they are anathema to our individuality. This is often done with subtlety rather than dictatorial enforcement being utilised by their African counterparts.

The essence of this article should not be misconstrued as promoting a free-for-all sort of existence which will become the bedrock for a morally depraved society and possibly a lawless one for that matter. There is a right way to live, but it is still possible to live true to your identity within the framework of a generally acceptable way of living. It is true that expression of certain personalities can reflect in a negative way, but it also true that every personality can be expressed positively! This form of transformation is what the word of God through the Holy Spirit brings to manifestation when he is in you. For an example of this, one needs not look any further than the life of Saul who was transformed to Paul (the apostle).

Personality (in my opinion) can be likened to a molten magma! – You can only suppress it for so long. It is better for one to consciously let His or her personality bubble up steadily like a spring than for it exploding out in a torrent like a volcano. The former enables us come to an understanding of ourselves and tailor our actions “rightly” based on our personalities, in ways that will be better suited for the common good of Not only ourselves but also those around us and ultimately the greater society. The latter, being an explosion only leaves room for actions based on “un-harnessed” impulse which will be a polar opposite of Rationalized responses.

I am in no way discounting from the importance of good parenting and/or punitive measures for deviant behaviours, what I am instead advocating for is a harmony of good parenting – which will help us understand the right way of doing things – and also encouragement towards expression of ones self.

Good parenting teaches us to understand ACTIONS and CONSEQUENCES. It lays the foundation for us to understand the principle of taking responsibility. With a solid foundation; when the time comes for us to act based on our personality, we are able to rationalize and therefore ACT in ways that are in consonance with the tenets of Harmonious, appropriate and cultured living.

In searching out yourself and going all out to understand who you are and why you are the way you are, you are bound to stumble here and there; but hey! It is much better to stumble on little stones and pick-up valuable lessons than stumbling over a single boulder and doing tremendous damage with consequences you might not be able to recover from.

image gotten from: http://www.wholisticwomanretreats.com/know-thyself-by-laura-hall/