Know Thyself

How elusive - the search for self.

Many spend their whole lives searching and still don't know who they are.
Some travel to far-off places to receive vision and enlightenment.
Some have the truth of themselves shaken out of them by others, or when tragedy strikes.

I've found that one cannot be too tunnel-vision-ey in trying to learn about oneself.
Let's put it this way - Know Thyself in Thy Context.


It is all too easy to fall into self-indulgent traps where one tries to figure oneself out.
Where have I come from?
Where am I now?
Where am I going?

Sure, these are important questions.
But if you always search inwards, you will only receive a one-sided perspective of yourself.



Equally important, probably, is the need to know thine surroundings.
Paying attention to the world around us, the people around us, the times we live in.
Not just paying attention, but caring for it.
Learning to empathize and care for things/people other than yourself.

In everything there should be balance.
A middle point between Western and Eastern values perhaps.

Living in a different country and culture sure has brought that to my attention.
Where is the middle point to be straddled - where we can give sufficient care to others while still loving oneself healthily?


Just some thoughts I've been pondering...