“We suffer primarily not from our vices or our weaknesses, but from our illusions. We are haunted, not by reality, but by those images we have put in place of reality.”
-Daniel J. Boorstein
We are our own worst enemy. I am sure at one point or another you have heard this phrase before. And to me it is one of more truer statements that I have ever heard. American Historian Daniel Boorstein’s reminds us of this in today’s quote. Within self awareness, we are encouraged to gain an accurate self perception as to how we see ourselves. It is our ability to accurately assess our strengths and limitations with a well grounded sense of confidence, optimism and a growth mindset. What we perceive is what we believe.
Often times we look for things that aren’t actually there; we look for certain faults that at times we create in our own minds. We need to take a minute and hit the pause button. We must really look at things for what they actually are and not what we think they are. When we can consistently recognize our own emotions, thoughts and values, and how they affect our behavior we avoid that unnecessary suffering that Boorstein mentions and instead focus on what actually lies before us: hope and promise for a better future.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards improving your self awareness?
Becoming The Change 