“We can’t fix what we don’t understand.”

A thought by Bob Goff, from his book, Dream Big (Kindle Locations 586). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Striving to understand is so very important in life especially when it is us.

Bob says, “A few years ago, someone I loved had a stroke. This is a cruel medical problem because often, in addition to causing physical limitations, it robs its victims of some of what they cherish the most—their memories. The doctor explained how the brain attempts to knit itself back together and recreate the pathways and circuitry disrupted by the stroke. The doctor recommended photographs be up on the walls of the hospital room to help jog her memory as her brain reconnected with itself. She would stare long and hard at the walls and point. One by one, she figured out the photographs. ‘That’s my husband. That’s my daughter. This one is our dog.’ It took a while, but eventually she figured out every photograph—except one. It was a photograph of her.”

He goes on, “It’s easy to think we’ve got everyone else figured out. But what about ourselves? Maybe you’re starting this process of identifying and chasing your dreams and realize you’ve been looking at everyone else without ever really seeing yourself. Perhaps there have been so many big changes in your life that you feel estranged from the person you once knew so well; you don’t recognize yourself anymore. Listen up. Don’t ignore this; get real with it.

“Did the person you used to adore get buried in the responsibilities of growing a career, folding laundry, or waiting in the school pickup line? Is your past shouting so loud you can’t hear the future calling your name? Have you spent so much time and energy trying to meet others’ expectations of you that you forgot what you really want for yourself? Or maybe you’ve never taken the time and space you need to meet your real self for the first time.”

"Seek and you will find."
Luke 11:9  

He continues, “Making this introduction to yourself can be hard and sometimes even a little scary. Don’t let that head-fake you. Don’t defer starting, and don’t quit trying. It’s necessary work if you want to move forward with your ambitions. Here’s why: there is massive power in self-awareness. Don’t overlook or underestimate it. It’s not indulgent to spend some time reflecting on your life; in fact, it’s foolish not to. If you need a counselor to help you get at what’s under the hood in your life, get two. If you need a break from your job, take one. You’ve got to figure out who you are before you can decide who you’re going to be. Only then will you be able to sort out whether what you want is worth the time and sacrifice it will take to get it.”

And that is really a great thing to do, isn’t it?

Yes, yes!