While growing up. after changing your body, your mind, and even your spirit, you may then ask yourself two self-intuitive questions: Who am I? Why am I here in this world?
Looking back into your past, you see both your
accomplishments and failures in some aspects of your life, such as doing well
in sports but not in academic work.
As you continue growing up, you create
your own identity with your self-image.
What is self-image?
Self-image is what your thinking
mind tells you about who you are and what you have done so far.
But is your self-image for real?
Just look at yourself in a mirror. Is the “reflection” of you for real? Can you
touch it? No, but it is still real to you in your thinking mind.
Likewise, your self-image is your perception of your past experiences based on
your assumptions, your attitudes, and your predictions of what will happen to
you. They then become the raw materials for your thinking mind to weave the
fabrics of your so-called “realities.” Just as Descartes, the great
French philosopher, once made his famous statement: “I think, therefore I am.”
Accordingly, you think, and you become what you think you are. But
Descartes’s statement is only partially true: it is true that you identify
yourself with your thoughts, but it is not true that your self-image created by
your own thoughts is your true self or who you truly are.
Freedom
So, be who you truly are, and not who you think or wish you were. Your self-image is just who you “think” you are.
Being who you truly are, do not compare
yourself with others. Why not? If you are better than others, you may
develop the mindset that they need to gratify you first. If others are
better than you, you may then become envious of them or even feel your own
inadequacy. Remember, the reality is that we all have our own
imperfections and failures.
Say, you have been running for a while,
and you have won some awards. Running is what you enjoy doing and is one of
your life passions. Let running be your identity, but do not let “winning”
awards in your running be your self-image bondage.
Bondage
Winning awards may enhance your self-image, separating yourself from others. Sustaining that self-image may generate anxiety, fear, and worry—that your efforts in winning more awards may not pan out as expected. Your self-image often attaches to the bondage of pride.
On the other hand, a negative self-image
of not winning any award may also lead to the bondage of self-doubt and low
self-esteem, which may distance yourself from others or even stop your running
altogether.
The only way to turn from bondage to
freedom is doing what you can with what you have and continue loving what you
want to do.
FREEDOM with BONDAGE shows you how you can have "freedom" and not "bondage" in your everyday choices and decisions.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
No comments:
Post a Comment