There are multiple levels or layers to self. The outermost layer is what we are most aware of. This is what we know about ourselves, or typically this is limited to what we see. Similar to the analogy of an iceberg (see image), we are conscious (portion of iceberg above the water), of only about 10% of who and what we really are. What lies beneath the surface represents our subconscious, or largely unaware of, which represents our beliefs, values, biases, prejudices, etc. This accounts for 90% of self, which is largely hidden from us, and requires a conscious effort to learn about our hidden self. It is what lies beneath the surface, our subconscious, that plays a major role in our behaviors and consequences. Hence the value of self-discovery is to undertand this connection so that we can change our unhealthy patterns, negative consequences, into more healthy beliefs and positive consequences. We are the cause of our own unhappiness which is so difficult to initially grasp!

For those who work in companies, they are accustomed to the annual performance appraisal. This evaluation by your manager, if done well, is often used as a basis for raises, promotions, and continued development. We are measured on our performance and results compared to the goals we were assigned. Therefore this is considered to be […]

What a challenging topic to write about! It is a topic that we all confront many times during our life, and ultimately with ourselves. Yet, this topic is rarely discussed with the possible exception of during funerals. Many subscribe to various religious beliefs on death to give them some degree of comfort when dealing with […]

What does love mean to someone who has been abused mentally, physically and/or emotionally? The words from Tina Turner’s song come to mind. A shared characteristic of humanity, no matter what gender you are, what color your skin is, where you live or were born, is that we want to love and be loved. There […]

I was recently asked this question, and it was one that made me stop and think. I was able to state several elements of what I stand for, but not in a coherent way. It was something that I would have to ponder, not so much for the satisfaction of others, but primarily for myself. […]

The more I talk with people, the more I realize the amount of stress that is underpinning our society. Although many appear on the surface as though they are doing fine, it does not take much prodding to learn about what lies beneath. It appears that higher levels of stress are normal now, but this […]

I referred to a quote from a Near Death Experiencer and now deceased dear friend, Tom Sawyer. He stated,  “All souls are equal at the soul level. Yet some say, he’s a highly evolved soul. The soul doesn’t evolve, the personality does.” This was profound for me to hear, and helped to address one of […]

  So What — Now What??? The personal growth and self-discovery journey has brought you a long ways from where you started. Your self-awareness has skyrocketed including a deeper understanding of yourself, your past, your personality preferences, your core issues, your goals, and a deeper understanding of life and your purpose. For many the feeling is […]

When you meet and ask someone to tell you about themselves, how do they respond? How would you respond if asked this question? Traditions and culture play a signficant role in how we respond along with the purpose of the encounter. So let’s put a few scenarios around this question and see if it makes […]