The Many Parts of Self

EXCERPTED FROM the InnerSelf.com article: 
Am I My Personality?
by Roberto Kaplan.

Examine for a moment what perceptions you have about the relationship between your personality and who you are. Spend some time looking deeply into your life and your self. The aim is to be able to be with yourself nonjudgmentally, fully embracing the many parts of yourself and striving to be aware of what feeds your essence.

Western Culture tends to use labels, to classify, and to have every person logged into a particular place; whereas Eastern Culture has a tendency to focus on differing parts of the self.

It is important to recognize that we are composed of many parts and each part needs to be recognized and respected.  We are not just one thing, but rather we are multi-sided like a crystal.

We may be very organized at work, but procrastinate at home.  Within our home, we may be very gregarious, but shy in public.  It is important for us to recognize all aspects of the self and embrace them.  Words such as polarities, dualities, or dark verses light, all reference our inner diversities. 

Actually, we can think of ourselves as a large crayon box.  We have the freedom to be any shade of the color spectrum we choose.  By paying attention, we can determine which color matches us best in certain situations.  Being either abstract or detailed, we can blend, contrast, scribble or print. Practice using different colors and detect how each crayon in your hand begins to feel.

So once again we are called to explore our inner landscapes in order to define our true self.  As we move inward, we will find little pebbles of information and perhaps discover writings on concealed walls or inhale a fragrance that will transport memory back into time.  All will lead to discovery.

Be daring on the journey!  Think outside of the box and be sure to color out side of the lines!