On our path into a personally happy, fulfilling life, we move through various stages of personal evolution. At first, we generally live a day-to-day existence stuck in the movie of our life without realizing that we have any choice about the matter. We accept the circumstances of how we live tolerating whatever comes along.
In this unaware state, we are typically caught up in our own internal dramas and struggles, reacting to situations while on autopilot. Unknown thoughts, beliefs, and fears automatically determine our course of action. We exist in the world with robotic reactions, unable to change things that we are not aware of.
Awakening Self-Awareness
Then we gradually wake up to a new self-awareness. We can actually “see” ourselves in the movie of our own life. We can see that we’ve been living a life that doesn’t feel authentic, or happy, or even fulfilling. Our eyes are now open to seeing ourselves doing what we think we should be doing to get by, yet feeling lost, empty, and maybe even depressed.
Self-awareness is a perception that you exist, separate from other people. It is an awareness of what you are feeling, how you are behaving, and what personal beliefs and fears rule your world. Self-awareness is information about you. It is hearing the language that your body is speaking to you, feeling your true feelings, and knowing that you have an inner intuition or knowingness about things. From this awareness evolves clarity about who you are, what you want, and why you want it.
Somebody Fix Me
As self-awareness awakens, we initially believe that we don’t have the ability to choose differently. For example, if you feel unhappy and unfulfilled in your current job situation, you may tell yourself, “I have spent so many years studying for this career, I can’t possibly leave it now.” Or, “My family has such monetary expectations for me, I should fulfill those responsibilities whether I like it or not.” Or, “I’m trapped in this awful job (life, depression, addiction, situation, etc.) and there is nothing I can do about it.”
In other words, you now have self-awareness about your feelings and desires, but you don’t yet believe that you have a choice in the matter. Of course, as self-awareness unfolds we naturally feel compelled to take action to “fix” the problem or “get over” our internal challenge.
In this stage our evolution, we seek answers about how to create a different life. We want good, solid solutions and we turn to the experts to create the life we want. We look to therapists, religious counselors, friends, parents, self-help books, and alternative healers to help us. And indeed, every person, book, and insightful advice does provide important new perspectives and insights about who we are and how we can do things differently.
Yet ultimately, all pathways lead to one inevitable conclusion… Self-responsibility.
Oh No… I’m Responsible For My Own Happiness
Self-responsibility is a realization that you are responsible for the experience that you are having, and you are responsible for creating the experience and feelings you want to be having.
Self-responsibility is knowing the truth that you always have a choice in your life. Not only must you make decisions about where you want to go in life, but you must also trust your instincts and allow yourself to take supportive action. This means gaining the ability to say “no” to choices, emotions, and fears that stop you from moving toward your new direction, and “yes” to behaviors that bring more of what you most want.
Self-responsibility involves the creative spark of independence and self-determination. It is your unwavering purposefulness, conviction, and resolve to live a life beyond the confines of should’s, have-to’s, and feeling trapped. Suddenly, you can observe and choose how, or even if, you will act.
The Grandness of YOU
Self-awareness is when you realize life’s infinite choices. Self-responsibility is when you realize that you are the person in charge of making the choices that most align with your heart’s passions. At first glance, it is inconceivable to imagine that you can gain mastery over your core beliefs, emotions, and fears. However, whether you are aware or not – you are always the creator of your own life! Self-responsibility is your conscious realization that only you can set yourself free to live a life beyond your wildest dreams.
About the Author: Want to learn more about how to live consciously, love deeply, and laugh often? Come along with Dr. Annette Colby and learn the secrets to creating the life you’ve always wanted to live! Subscribe to her blog Divine Self! today.
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Hi Annette,
What a beautiful article! Thank you so much.
Self Love Affirmation
I love myself in order to gain growth and awareness in areas of life experienced intellectually,emotionally, and physically to sustain all my desires and needs for highest good of all energy of the universe. Releasing all old patterns with ease and grace living free of clutter, creating action performance enhanced movement to open clear space manifesting all highest good while deleting cancelled ideas that served purpose previously allowing freedom to go with the flow to avoid resistance in all areas of life. Expressing gratitude, I LOVE MYSELF.
Namaste,
Katie