Is Awareness Over Rated?

- A 7 Benefit Series; #2: Choice -

This is part of a 7 benefit series in the exploration of gains to be had through the development of higher awareness and consciousness.

Benefit #2: Gain new options in changing or nurturing specific traits.

In Benefit #1, we talked about building insight regarding our personality through observation and interaction with other. As these mental notes build onto themselves, we gain increasing awareness of what makes us do as we do, which brings us to Benefit #2: Choice and Responsibility.

Choice is a beautiful word, isn’t it?

Its twin is, off course, responsibility, a term not always as appreciated. Some would cry out they want choice for themselves, but when the time comes, point fingers elsewhere rather than accept the responsibility that comes with it. Unfortunately, these two go hand in hand and one cannot be without the other, and are therefore considered here as one item.

Shall we put all this knowledge to good use?

Once we get to better understand what makes us do as we do, we can consciously choose new options. If a pattern emerges through recurring situations, then in becoming conscious of that pattern, we can recognize it as it is happening, or even better, catch it before it happens, and work to gradually improve and change the behavior.

Knowing our trigger points can also go a long way towards behavior modification. For example, if I am aware and recognize that I tend to have junk food cravings at a particular time of day, I can anticipate that time and be prepared with a better option. Or if I know that certain friends have a negative influence on me, then I can choose to spend less time with them and explore new avenues with groups that display the behaviors / results that I wish to attain.

Off course, we all possess admirable qualities that we might choose to exercise more often. Think of a situation where you did something or said something that was really thoughtful and supportive when a friend needed it. Maybe there are small gestures and/or random acts of kindness that you do on a regular basis that really shows a caring aspect of you. Recognize these and give yourself credit. It’s not bragging. It’s simply acknowledging the positive facets of who you are.

Let’s re-cap:

• Knowledge and awareness give us options.
• Options give us choices.
• Choices come with responsibility.

And all three points combined empower us to change and/or nurture various aspect of our personality for the better.

We can choose to become and be the person we wish to be.

This takes time off course. We cannot expect to become an entirely new person overnight, though incremental changes implemented on a persistent basis will go a long way.

Now that’s power!

Next, Benefit #3: Understanding

This article is copyright 2008 Christine Pointeau and for entertainment purposes only. Christine Pointeau is the artist, author of the series A Cappella and Stray Tales, and a published personal development author. For articles and more, visit http://www.ChristinePointeau.com now.

Is Awareness Over Rated?

- A 7 benefit Series; #1: Insight -

In a previous article, we came to the conclusion that self awareness in and of itself is not necessarily the desired end; rather, it takes self awareness with self reflection and a desire to change to bring any results.

Do we really have anything to gain from self awareness and higher consciousness? What is all the noise about anyway? Can’t we do just fine without going through all that trouble?

Stop here for a moment and ask yourself that very question: Why would you want to raise your awareness and consciousness? What is there to gain?

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.”
                        - Lao Tzu, Chinese Taoist Philosopher

In this series I go over 7 main benefits we can experience as we grow in awareness. This list is by no means complete. Use it as a spring board for further exploration into your own concept of what is possible.

Benefit #1: Deeper insights into the workings of your personality.

There is one very powerful tool out there that can propel your personal development to heights previously only dreamed of. It is available to all, regardless of nationality, race, marital status, creed, weight, height, eye color, dietary habits, shoe size, etc, etc.

And the best thing is, it’s free and within reach every single day of our life.

Most ignore it. For those who choose to use this tool wisely, there is no limit to how much insight and transformation might be achieved.

Can you guess what it is? Are you ready for the answer?

People.

That’s right; People. Believe it or not, our peers represent one of the most powerful tool we have on hand for our personal development.

Through observation and interaction with others, we come to realize:

• how we react to situations;
• how we respond to people and events, in general or in particular;
• what sensitive issues get us off balance;
• patterns of behavior we exhibit;
• and trigger points in our personality.

All these observations give us insights into our personality make up and raise our consciousness in the process by making us more self-aware of whom and what we are.

Next, Benefit #2: Choice.

This article is copyright 2008 Christine Pointeau and is for entertainment purposes only. Christine Pointeau is the artist, author of the series A Cappella and Stray Tales and a personal development published author. For more information and articles, go to http://www.ChristinePointeau.com