The unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates)

Photo by Randy Jacob on Unsplash

Being away from home on a professional course, as I am at the moment, is a struggle for me sometimes. I inherited this from my father. 

For him, it was the lack of familiarity with places, food, and people that caused him anxiety. Especially food. 

And, when I think about it, it's worse. 

Socrates is right but sometimes self-awareness has a down side.

It's that same old dizzy hang-up, I can't do with you or without, tell me why is it so (Isaac Hayes)

Photo by John Reign Abarintos on Unsplash

We talk a lot about Self-Directed Learning at our school.

To get to there, our students need a certain degree of self-awareness. Staff debate at the moment is centering on the readiness of many of our students to be Self-Directed Learners, as they appear to lack this requisite self-awareness.

Awareness of our selfness. That's a big ask for anyone.

According to Hsing Yun (366 days of wisdom), it incorporates estimating our value in accordance to our:

• morals
• knowledge
• working skills
• interpersonal skills
• achievements
• family and educational background

That's some list.

As he says, if we don't know ourselves, we will end up without any value.

From that starting point comes self-discovery, then comes self-confidence, then comes self-empowerment, and finally self-independence.

And THAT'S where my direct job ends, and where my influence takes over.

That's MY goal. Always has been.