It has become a platitude to say, “New Year, New You!” So let me suggest that, instead, let’s try “New Year, True You!” Because the way for us to live our best lives is not to transform ourselves but instead, let our true selves come to the surface and be our best representatives. Let’s explore this a little more.
One of our biggest life challenges is to find out who we really are, and then live in that reality. Ironically what keeps us from our essential selves is our own egos. You see, ego is what makes us feel different and special. In the words of philosopher and theologian Richard Rohr, ego wants to compete, compare and conquer. This may take us away from our essential selves by putting us in a realm where we are either seeking approval from, or competing with others in our circles or families. This constant comparing and competing leaves us anxious, possibly depressed and fundamentally unsatisfied. The path to true contentment, appears when we act as our true selves, and are completely satisfied with our lives as our true selves. This is considered sufficiency and is essential to contentment. How do we achieve this?
Mindfulness is the key to knowing who we are, being satisfied with our essential selves, and acting completely within our perceived role in the universe. Mindfulness can be achieved in a number of ways. Meditation and prayer are excellent at putting us in contact with our true selves. Yoga is also an excellent centering activity. Exercise helps with focus and priorities. Journaling is another obvious modality for discovering and living our true selves. There are, of course, many more
This year pick one of these practices or activities to better find the TRUE YOU. To achieve this in the new year will likely make you much more productive than trying to invent some new version of yourself, which will only make you a slave to your ego. In 2022, I suggest you FIND YOU, BE YOU and DO YOU, and you will more likely achieve the contentment and productivity you seek.
Peace and Blessings,
Dr John Monaco
MONACO Wellness
(813) 541-6440