Become Better Aware of Yourself Today!
“Yourself” is an article crafted to encourage introspection, aimed specifically at you, the reader. It’s common to hear that we must change ourselves, often suggested with the best intentions. However, is self-transformation possible? Why should we aspire to be different from who we are? This piece invites you to delve into your true self and embrace who you are, just as you are.
What Do We Mean by Yourself?
Typically, when you speak of ‘you,’ it refers to your physical body, mind, emotions, thoughts, actions, and traits. Yet, even your soul or spirit is more accurately described as belonging to you, rather than being you. So, who are you? You are the sum of all these elements and more. You are a form of energy, a life force that cannot be created or destroyed except by your Creator.
Moreover, your Creator does not seem inclined to destroy you, despite the concept of hell’s fires. This is because if annihilation were possible, there would be no eternal suffering or torment in the lake of fire as described in the scriptures; anyone cast into it would perish eventually. Yet, it is said that those who are sent to hell will exist there forever, as will those who ascend to heaven.
Can you comprehend the magnitude of your existence? I am not suggesting you are a deity to be worshipped or to encourage others to do so. Rather, you and I are valuable and beloved. We are part of the greater whole, the Father of all spirits, the Creator and Maker of all that is known: God.
Your physical body is indeed your own. However, what distinguishes your thoughts and actions from others, including your parents and siblings, is your identity, your unique personality. Therefore, in discussions of self-discovery, we consider the essence behind your life or consciousness and recognize it as your true self.
The challenge lies in the fact that none of us truly knows what we look like in essence. How do we describe our spiritual selves without falling back on abstract thoughts and imaginations? This is the root of differing opinions between those who believe only in what they can physically verify and those who argue that there is more to existence than what we can see, touch, smell, taste, or hear.
In essence, your identity is what distinguishes you as unique and special, irrespective of your birthplace or upbringing, otherwise, you would be indistinguishable from others born and raised in the same locale. However, even identical twins are not exactly alike; they differ significantly in personality.
Some may claim they share identical thoughts, preferences, and aversions, but this is debatable, particularly if the twins are conscious of the inquiry’s intent. It’s important to remember that our responses are shaped by our perception of what is being asked, influencing the answers we give.
Related: Life Coaching Ultimate Guide
Yourself: What Is Your Personality Type?
Many personality types can be categorized into specific sections and groups, yet each individual is unique. Generally, psychologists recognize that people can be classified as introverts or extroverts. Other perspectives on personality include the OCEAN model, which stands for Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. These traits have been extensively studied and validated, although individuals may respond to questionnaires in a manner that reflects their current preferences rather than a fixed personality type.
Do you usually concur with the majority on most issues? Are you inclined to explore places others may avoid, and do so solo? Can you easily voice your opinions in a group setting? Do you often feel anxious in certain scenarios, even when there’s no apparent reason? Reflecting on these questions can assist in determining your personality type according to the BIG FIVE model.
Indeed, as mentioned, it’s often easier to choose what seems appealing and beneficial in the moment, which is a natural human inclination. However, you can employ other methods to discern your core traits, such as reflecting on your persistent thoughts and expectations, observing others’ actions and words, and reading insightful articles. These approaches can illuminate your dominant characteristics, aiding in the identification of your personality type.
Understanding the complexity of human nature is challenging. Nevertheless, it is possible to pinpoint your personality type definitively, rather than repeatedly. You can then enhance your personality daily by engaging in thoughts, speech, and actions that resonate with your inherent nature and identity.
For instance, I have realized that I am inherently a person of peace. From childhood, I detested quarreling or engaging in fights with peers. I am averse to raising my voice and am sensitive to loud noises and strong scents. Disorder of any kind is displeasing to me; I prefer everything to be orderly. For example, I carefully use toothpaste without squeezing it from the top, as I consider that untidy. My affection for children is profound, yet their tendency to be noisy often leads me to raise my voice louder than theirs.
Therefore, I identify as an introverted empath. I avoid public events where emotional expressions are common. As a man hailing from Africa, societal norms discourage the public display of what may be perceived as negative or traditionally feminine emotions, even though I might feel deeply affected emotionally. Hence, I cherish solitude, engaging in contemplative activities or pursuits I enjoy, such as writing this article.
Yourself: How Did You Get Your Personality Type?
Human psychology suggests that our identity is shaped by both nature and nurture. I find myself leaning more towards nature. If we were solely products of our upbringing, we wouldn’t be as distinct and unique as we are. Yet, our uniqueness persists in our thoughts, speech, and actions, distinct even from peers in the same community.
Nevertheless, the impact of nurture and our environment, particularly during childhood, cannot be dismissed. The influence of my parents, the siblings I grew up with, and the memories of those who passed before I was born are indelible. At approximately 40 years old, not knowing my exact birth year—whether it was 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, or 1984—I reflect on these influences as the youngest in my family.
The names of childhood friends and acquaintances, places, and experiences remain with me. Despite this, I stand out from my siblings and childhood friends like Gatluak Jal (RIP), Chol Jal, Chuol Nyalam, Nyakor Kan Tap, Wiyual Duoth, Gatluak Deng Reth, among others. What distinguishes me is something intrinsic—my personality, life essence, spirit, soul, heart, or mind.
To me, terms like spirit, soul, heart, and mind converge on the same concept: the inner self, the non-material essence. Others may argue these are merely impressions and memories, but I see them as more than just remnants of past experiences. What I remember is not me, but belongs to me—not in a possessive sense, but as a part of my consciousness.
Essentially, your personality type is derived from your innate traits, while your beliefs and behaviors are significantly influenced by your upbringing and environment. Hence, the impact of social exposure, whether positive or negative, cannot be overlooked. Each family, clan, tribe, and nation exhibits specific and shared patterns of thought, a testament to the influence of social interaction.
To be candid, the concept of self-discovery is predominantly Western, as in Africa and the East, the emphasis is on socialism. In these cultures, the collective beliefs, thoughts, actions, and words of society take precedence over those of the individual. In my region, personal ownership of items like toothpaste, a toothbrush, or underwear is viewed as selfish.
In this context, sharing is a common practice, to the extent that someone may request your shirt with pride, regardless of their own possessions. This stems from the belief that one’s belongings are, by extension, communal. The act of eating from an individual plate is also considered selfish, as communal eating is the norm.
It may stem from ignorance, but there are times when some of us may need more food for certain reasons, and other times when we may prefer less. Similarly, one might choose to use an amount of green or red pepper that others may find excessive. Where, then, is personal freedom if we coerce ourselves into actions we don’t want to take, simply because the group desires it?
Having been raised with a different mindset, I neither rejoice excessively nor grieve deeply at someone’s passing. This is because, in our African traditions—not Christian or Islamic—I’ve learned that death is a part of life. I’ve seen people die from natural causes or violence. I understand that my time will come too, although I do not know when, where, or how.
This awareness that everything born will eventually die makes the news of death seem normal. It’s a reminder of my own mortality and prompts me to consider what I would regret having done or not done if I were the one who had died. Indeed, I believe I have a unique purpose to fulfill on this planet.
Yourself: How Do You Improve Your Discovered Self?
There are numerous ways to approach this, your way being one of them. Reading this article is certainly a step towards enhancing your self-awareness. Thus, cultivating a habit of reading is something you need to focus on, and eventually, you’ll notice significant self-improvement in your thoughts, words, and actions.
It’s important to remember that your core nature is immutable, and attempting to force a change can be deeply harmful, regardless of the intention. For this reason, the only path is to uncover and then incrementally enhance your discovered self, your personality type, your unique identity that is yours alone in this world.
Factors such as your environment, the food you consume, the water you drink, and the company you keep are all critically important in refining your personality type. It’s impossible to always find people who think, speak, and act just like you, but there will always be those whose company you enjoy.
On a personal note, I prefer to steer clear of certain discussions and debates. I’m not fond of playing cards or dominos, so if my friends who enjoy these activities go their way to partake, we part ways until we reconvene elsewhere. I find certain confrontational exchanges, where people challenge one another in negative and intimidating manners, to be particularly toxic, especially as an introvert and an empath.
Even though you may often find yourself surrounded by unavoidable people and events, particularly in South Sudan, I recommend focusing on personal development. It begins with self-discovery, which empowers you with the boldness, energy, and courage to candidly express your dislikes, doing so tactfully to avoid offending those who may enjoy these very things.
Remember, you have your own life to live, just as every other human being or creature has its own existence on this earth. Is this selfish? It could be considered selfish if it means disregarding others’ life choices. However, consider what’s preferable: living a life that isn’t yours or embracing your unique journey?
In my hometown, people relish gathering to discuss recent events, often those charged with emotions, insults, and disparagement of absent parties. I’ve detested such conversations since childhood.
Yet, this is the way of life here. In fact, if you suggest that people should not spend their entire day at tea places in Juba, they might demand you create jobs for them. They engage in this for hours, days, weeks, months, and years, considering it normal. As for me, I cherish my unique life, grateful for every person, event, place, and thing I encounter during my fleeting time on earth.
You also have a life to live, which can be lived to the glory of your Creator. If God intended for you to think, speak, and act collectively, He would have created you collectively, not as a distinct individual, unique from others. However, teamwork is beneficial, provided it does not compromise your life and personality.
Food and environment were mentioned earlier because they significantly impact your life. It’s unreasonable to expect a starving person, regardless of gender, to laugh heartily. The reason is simple: if they are truly famished, they will cry, not laugh.
Thus, food and environment play a crucial role in personality development. Your speech reflects your energy levels. Similarly, living in an extremely hot climate can make you appear more aggressive than you are. For instance, bees become more dangerous in hotter environments. Consider what actions you take daily to enhance your personality.
Summary
To summarize, the article suggests that what one might consider as ‘self’ could actually be a possession rather than a true identity. The essence of ‘you’ is described as the life and consciousness residing within your physical form. The article acknowledges the challenges in analyzing this ‘true self.’
It also touches upon personality types, their origins, and the potential for personal development. Now, it’s your opportunity to reflect on the content, gauge its relevance to you, and consider how you might apply this knowledge. Your thoughts and feedback on this article are welcome in the comments section below. Shalom!
Further Readings
