Self-Awareness Part ‘3’ - It’s Good to Ask “Myself”
We covered in the previous part how to do a friendly talk to “Myself”. I want to thank you for the feedback I personally received for this series. Much Obliged.
While going forward, the most essential thing to know is what is fruitful to ask myself and why. Let us see these simple questions to understand them stepwise.
So, the first important thing is to know “What is actually my feeling”. The human brain is not straightforward, and emotions are combined in the form of ‘a mesh’. It is not easy to separate them and name them on many occasions, but this exercise in Step One makes things much simpler and clearer to proceed with. So, “Name the emotion” ?What it is.
Once it is known “what”, the next query is “why”.
While understanding my feelings and asking myself why I am feeling this way, I often receive multiple answers. However, the key to moving forward is to focus on the most important "why" and ignore the less critical ones. This is very important to recognise. I cannot emphasise this enough. Identifying this key "why" is essential for simplifying the complex emotions that are closely tied together.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala asks us in the Quran, “Do they not concentrate and think about themselves?” The most significant aspect of ourselves is our brain—the power of our intellect that cannot be ignored. In Step Two, let us include these questions in our daily lives to make them a part of our routines.
The first dealing with any given matter at any given time should be done “inside me” before it goes outside, either through my expression, body language or by my words.
This third step is as essential as the previous two. It is done by asking myself the most appropriate plan of action, “How am I going to deal with it?”
The plan of action I created for myself will be important in the long term. Step Three relies entirely on my intentions and how I choose to handle the situation, ensuring that my actions align with the rules set by Allah. I must make sure that my actions do not harm myself or others, both in the short term and the long term.
To agree with myself will save time and energy. If I am consistent and clear about steps one, two, and three, then my new step is just a matter of putting them all together. The Fourth Step is to keep a check on my satisfaction and agreement with my action plan.
Before we move on to the final steps in our series, it's essential to take some time for practice. Let's start by including this practice in our daily routine. Initially, it may be a bit challenging, but with time, patience, and consistent effort, it will become easier.
The benefits of this practice are multiple, but the most significant outcome is a practical, clear, and focused approach to our decision-making. We hope that, by the grace of Allah—may He be praised and exalted—this will ultimately simplify our lives.
