The True Self: Part Discovery, Part Reinvention

 

reinvention of self

How to eat an elephant

You are on the path of finding your true self. This process is part discovery, as you learn about the parts of yourself that you like and want to keep, and part reinvention, as you merge the “keepers” with the new pieces you find.

When you are integrating the old self and the discovered self, it is helpful to have some direction.  Pamela Mitchell, founder and CEO of The Reinvention Institute, has put a lot of work into providing this direction.  Reading some of her latest works helped me assemble these steps to get you started. Continue reading

Station Eleven: “Survival is Insufficient.”

Station Eleven: Survival is InsufficientWe often read fiction as a form of escape, but I recently read a novel that was both entertaining and enlightening. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel speaks to choices we make in life and the impact they have.

The main character, Kirsten, was just a child when a deadly flu killed 99% of the world’s population in a matter of days. She survived by hiding in her home with her brother until the contagion had passed. When they finally ventured into the world, she carried with her a comic book and the memory of the famous actor who gave it to her. The object and the memory remained with her for decades, shaping her life. Continue reading

Life is a Journey to Your True Self: Creating Goals

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Now that you have compiled all this information about yourself, you can begin to identify your deepest values, core beliefs, passions and motives. The true self is made up of these things.

Life is a journey worth taking. To make the trip enjoyable, you need to create goals that come from your true self. The goals you set become the compass for your life. Not all goals are accomplished, but they still lead you forward in your life. Continue reading

Find Your True Self by Listen to Your Life Events

iphone 037abIn last week’s blog, we looked at events in your past and how they led to the development of a false self. This week, we are going to take a look at your present. The purpose of this blog is to help you “see” your life so you can find your true self.

We will begin to determine what feels good and satisfying to you. We also need to identify things in your life that contribute to feeling bad about yourself, and that prevent you from finding your true self. We will use this information as well as what you discovered last week to create a more satisfying life. Continue reading