The Invitation To Know Thyself

Many times I make suggestions that I believe lead to life success. One very important success-tion is to KNOW THYSELF as was quoted by Socrates. And Benjamin Franklin said something similar when he said, "Observe all men; thy self most."

Before we can move forward - move beyond our own limitations to a bigger and better place - we first must know, really know and understand, where we are and who we are at the core. I have learned in training and teaching others, that to be able to communicate information in such a way that the listeners have a break-through thought, idea, or aha moment, I must begin where they are and go from there. And, so it is within ourselves. Do you really know and understand yourself? Have you done the work to identify what is most important in your life? Are you keeping first things first? Wow, do I understand! THAT is easier said than done. But, before we can move towards more productivity and a happier life, we must do the work of the first step: Know Thyself. I encourage you to take some quiet time for yourself and really evaluate your life and your own inner strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and disappointments. Self-evaluate what is at the very core of you. A thorough self-evaluation to know yourself is a first step in the process of working through your own personal formula that leads to a bigger life. I encourage you to begin to pay attention to your moods and how you are feeling throughout the next few days and nights. What brings you energy? What drains you? What do you dislike about your life? What do you love about your life? If there were no restraints such as money or time, what is one thing you would change or do differently? Begin to listen to your heart, for as they say, “awareness is curative.” Of course, being aware doesn’t actually cure a problem, but being aware is the first step in improving ourselves towards being a better person and living a bigger life.

Recently, I was talking with a very good friend of mine regarding what I do professionally. I champion others to live a bigger and better life, both personally and professionally. We were talking about my signature keynote speech, which is titled, Invitation To A Bigger Life. She asked me if I had ever read the poem called The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. When I told her that I was not familiar with the poem, she said I should definitely read it. I did, and it brought about the primary thought of this writing, and the simple, powerful success-tion to Know Thyself. I hope the poem will bring about valuable self-reflection for you, as it has for me.

The Invitation
By Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love, for your dreams
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic,
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul
If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day.
And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me
and not shrink back.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Remember, YOU are the manager of your life. You are responsible for where you are today and where you are going tomorrow. You are reading this because you are interested in becoming a better person living a bigger life. Ask yourself the hard questions, and begin to identify changes you will need to make. Then, take that first step! Remember, Carpe Diem! … seize the day!