self-a·ware·ness
/ˈˌself əˈwernəs/
noun
conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. "the process can be painful but it leads to greater self-awareness"
I like the quote, "Awareness is, in itself, curative." by Fritz Perls who was a German-born psychiatrist & psychoanalyst in the early/mid 1900's. Because most of the time we live only "reacting" to the world based off what we already know and forget that we can take whatever approach we want to take in the moment. We are simply on autopilot. We fail to reflect on who we really are and what we really want. We often forget that there is something much deeper inside of us that is the REAL us. The REAL you.
For example: Someone cuts you off in traffic. You were having a good day & now your reaction is to curse them out & become filled with rage. The person who cut you off has no idea & continues on with their day unphased.
Same scenario happens; a car cuts you off in traffic. You immediately notice a shift in your thoughts. You listen to them rather than react to them.
"I can't believe them! Idiots. Careless driver! STUPID! etc."
You recognize that you are someone who normally talks about people that way. More so, you are not someone who GENUINELY enjoys being filled with anger. So... you consciously make the decision to respond differently. A moment of awareness.
Take a moment and listen to your own thoughts.
What are they saying? Who do they sound like (the tone of voice)? Where do they often go? What do they need? How do you respond to them? Are you kind to them? Do you run them off? Do you avoid them?
When we are able to take a look at who we really are beyond our current programming by the world, we get to know ourselves to our core. It is inside of self-awareness where we can find meaning & purpose. It is where we will truly come to understand that we are a part of something much larger than our own thoughts.
You can't bring change if you are unaware of where change is needed. You must become self-aware, and only then, can we bring change towards our best self. -Coach Cavo