The Search for Self-Identity Excellence
Working on yourself takes action. Are you the type of person who likes to improve constantly? If so, congratulations! Your efforts are helping you become self-aware.
We all can work on our self-awareness. To do this, we must be mindful that we are unique individuals. Let's consider unique individualism and self-awareness as components of self-identity. You have much control over your self-identity.
Some people seem to have energy that others lack. Are they more aware of their self-identity? You can almost feel the energy from people who strive for self-improvement. They never seem satisfied and do whatever it takes to improve. The improvements might manifest as wisdom, skill level, getting results, awareness, generous spirit, leadership, mentoring abilities, and more.
There is a Zen saying that applies to people who seem to search for self-identity excellence:
"One moon shows in every pool; in every pool, the one moon."
Imagine looking at a pool of water and seeing the moon's reflection. We can observe the same visual scene anywhere in the world as light from our sun strikes the moon and reflects on our earth. That light can hit a pool of water. To the observer, light radiates from the water. People throughout the world also radiate energy (light from within).
We all can explore our self-identity. We have to be aware that we can make choices to do this. We can improve as individuals. A person who never focuses on self-improvement may represent someone who never takes the time to notice simple things in life, such as the moon reflecting off of a body of water. People who are not self-aware do not realize how much they control their lives.
We all have the innate ability to focus on our "light from within." We have to search for it. Sometimes, we might have to try less (be confident in our efforts) and let improvements come naturally. The water does not take significant action to reflect the moon's light.
Take advantage of the power of the light from within that might look like self-motivation, desire to improve, awareness of opportunities, spiritual awareness, and overcoming challenges. It takes time to make the light from within grow. I encourage you to take action and work on your self-identity so you can become your very best in life.
Martial Arts Perspective
In the best martial arts programs, instructors provide others with opportunities to improve self-identity. They teach others to realize strengths and weaknesses through martial arts, and then those same students pass along learning experiences to teammates. Learning and growing is a continual process. No matter how proficient you become as a martial artist, you can always move to the next level. Many lead martial artists learn that one of the most significant leaps forward in self-identity includes teaching and watching other martial arts students grow.
Questions To Discuss with Young People
How would you evaluate your ability to grow and become a better person?
When you see a friend who appears to have stopped looking for opportunities to become a valuable citizen (teammate, classmate, or community member), what advice would you give them to re-energize their spark for learning?
How would you prove or disprove that each of us has self-identity?
Describe when you first realized that you controlled your personality or self-identity.
Think of the time you learned something new and felt good about your efforts during the learning process. Where did you get the energy to drive yourself through the experience?
What motivates you to become a better person?
Have you noticed that some people seem to be very self-driven? They seem to radiate energy. How do you think they learned how to be self-driven?
There is a Zen saying that applies to the people who seem to search for self-identity excellence: "One moon shows in every pool; in every pool, the one moon." Explain why or why not you think this Zen saying might have something to do with self-identity.
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