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Personal Integrity: "Who am I really?"
“Who am I really, and how do I want to be today?”
How many times have you been asked the question “What do you do?” At parties, during first introductions, at a family gathering, people find it easy to define us by asking what we do and placing that answer in their frame of reference. But what happens when we choose to shift that question slightly and examine within ourselves the deeper question of “How am I a part of my life today?” This simple question has the ability to transform our sense of authenticity and inspire a renewed sense of honesty with others and ourselves.
Considering this question opens a space where you can focus on the conscious choice or decision as opposed to allowing yourself to just rely on old habits. As in yoga when we use asana practice to feel our physical self, this question can put us in touch with our soul self, that deeper level of being that brings authenticity into our world.
Examining the question also places us smack in the middle of personal responsibility. It is easier to point the finger of blame or excuse our behaviors while silently justifying to ourselves with the old phrase “That’s just the way I am”. However, we do greater justice to ourselves and others by posing a challenge to be accountable for each choice we make and the affect it has on the environment that surrounds us.
So when you wake up tomorrow, ask yourself “How do I want to be in the world today?” and as you drift off to sleep in the evening consider this; “Did I live true to the integrity of my intention from this morning?” This exercise can be a powerful yet challenging experience as it opens us up to a commitment to our own personal integrity.
[tags] personal integrity, yoga teacher, John Sovec, authentic self, personal commitment, yoga practice [/tags]