Knowing yourself
To know
oneself, one should assert oneself
-Albert Camus
I’ve heard many definitions of the word humility but the one
that sticks with me the most is; to know myself and accept myself exactly where
I am at that time.
Are we here to live a comfortable and placid life? For me
I’d like to say comfortable, yes placid, no. That would be way too boring! I
enjoy learning new things. There is no greater reward than overcoming an
obstacle with some level of tranquility. The only way that I can achieve that
is to assert myself, find out where my limits are and know that there are going
to be mistakes in the process. One of my proudest accomplishments this past
year was to be a published author. Not too shabby for a United Steel Worker
with an exquisite four letter word vocabulary. That accomplishment was part art
/ part science.
Those were the words of the community director of the
assisted living facility that we checked mom into earlier this week. When I
would ask; How do you know when……. What do you do when……. The answer came back
quite often; it’s part art / part science. Every Alzheimer patient is different
and every resident of that facility is different. In the process we tried to
feel out what is just right and adjust accordingly.
It’s just like recovery. No two people recover exactly the
same way. There are suggestions that work pretty darn good but ultimately, its
part art / part science. The key is recognizing when I have been graced with
the wisdom to know when to assert myself,
when to be humble know my limits and accept that exactly where I am. That’s
an experience that keeps life interesting.
Are you cheating yourself of life today because of your lack
of assertiveness?
