Five Ways to Reveal the Real You

Michelangelo once claimed that he did not really create the figures he carved in marble; they were already set in the stone and he simply chipped away the excess so they could be seen.

This analogy is also true of many aspects of life both in the external world and on an individual level within each person. Look at the archeologist who painstakingly whisks away the excess debris built up over time to reveal the beautiful pottery created by an ancient society. The beauty was there all along but it was hidden beneath the residue of dirt and clay that had hardened into a protective shell. That dull outer layer didn't form quickly. It did so gradually, over the years, eventually hiding the original and unique creation hidden below.

Another comparison is the recently renovated Sistine Chapel. Centuries of smoke, dust, and humidity had accumulated to mute the once brilliant original colors of this true masterpiece. Only after years of careful cleaning by experts to remove the buildup of accumulated grime did this work of art reemerge in all its original glory.

Of course, when it comes to human beings, the one-of-a-kind talents and gifts within individuals contribute to making them the original creation they are. Although negative people and circumstances can greatly dull or tarnish a positive self-image, the fact remains that there is still beauty waiting to be revealed. Just like reclaiming ancient pottery or restoring the Sistine Chapel, it simply takes someone with the right combination of knowledge, patience, skills, and tools to carefully reveal the masterpiece hidden deep inside of you.

To further illustrate this, here are five effective ways to help you begin your own "inner you" restoration process:

Start taking life in stride.
Try to avoid those activities that require you to move quickly or rush. Much like panning for gold, the greatest treasures that lie within you can only be found by slowing down and sifting through your innermost thoughts and dreams. Treasured insights come from slowing down and engaging in deep concentration and reflection.

Spend time in solitude.
Allowing yourself alone time will provide you with an even greater opportunity to delve deep within. Create a retreat or sanctuary that allows you to completely escape from your daily distractions and focus on your inner masterpiece.

Engage in perspective "self-talk."
Speak aloud to yourself in a nurturing environment. Get to know the part of you that praises just how far you have come and recognizes the triumphs that are yet to be. Uncovering this inside realm will give you a clear perspective of your wonderful life ahead.

Record your inner thoughts and feelings.
As you become more aware of what is occurring inside you, writing it down will add strength to your intuitive muscle. It will also allow you to develop your own life-empowering treasure map that will greatly expand your ability to see beyond what you think and do every day.
Consult regularly with a trusted friend or mentor.

Sharing with a friend or mentor what you've discovered in solitude is another inspirational and time-saving way to clear even more negative debris or emotional obstacles that are keeping the person you truly want to become "out of sight" and "out of mind." Seeking out an intuitive friend or mentor who may already have experienced what you're experiencing, or who has uncovered in him- or herself something similar to what you are trying to discover, gives you the advantage of insight and moral support to sustain your "self-searching" process. More important, it will give you the extra encouragement or hope to realize that it is truly possible to reveal the real you. However, it's still up to you make it happen.

Source

Source: © 2004 - 2007 Joel Garfinkle, All Rights Reserved Garfinkle, J. (n.d.). 5 ways to reveal the real you. Retrieved December 26, 2007, from http://www.dreamjobcoaching.com

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