Self-Examination - a podcast by David K Payne

“For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching has become a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong. – Bill W.” 

Finding an authentic life is not possible if we avoid the practice of self-examination. The quote above expresses very clearly this thought while making two overlooked points about this practice. Admittance and pertinence are two elements that are crucial to the practice of self-examination. Peck in his book, “The Road Less Traveled” encourages the reader seeking a healthy path to be open to regular personal challenge. Peck points out it is much easier to examine and challenge the world around us, but the real danger to our path lies within our private world and is not external.  As unnatural as it may seem, great personal progress can be made when we regular allow ourselves to be challenged on a personal level.

The process of self-examination is a personal choice that we decide to engage in. In earlier blogs, we pointed out how people either tend to avoid responsibility or take too much responsibility, both of which lead to unhealthy lives. The process I am speaking of is one where we strategically and consistently self-contemplate our path, our reactions, and habits and open ourselves up to specific outside influences to prompt that self-examination. It may be a book we read, or scripture, or a particular talk or message we listen to or a friend we confide in or allow to challenge us.  Whatever the medium, the purpose is to take an honest look at where we are and who we are, and honestly assess the path of our lives. Again, we typically take on too much responsibility or avoid it altogether, but I am talking about courageously and honestly looking at ourselves and patiently working towards correcting what we find the strength to change. 

Back to the beginning of this blog, first we admit and accept what we find. We don’t have to pretend, because we are not trying to impress anyone. This is not a competition against others, though others are walking alongside us in the relationships of our lives, they are not our competition. We are not comparing ourselves to them, because we are entirely different people with different circumstances and different personal makeups. We just merely accept and admit, yes that is me, and then we patiently seek to change what we understand needs to change, not condemning ourselves but realizing that it will take a lifetime to walk our paths. The motivation to change comes from our realization that there is a better way to do what we do. We give ourselves a break, by not surrendering to the condemnation of society, family, friends, and religion, but patiently walk out our paths correcting things where and when we can. Don’t look for shortcuts or quick fixes but commit to becoming the most authentic you that is possible and watch the level of joy and life increase exponentially.

 Just Be

David

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