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CONQUER YOURSELF
In many cases, your initial assessment of someone is heavily influenced by your own self-fabricated perceptions. You may be upset by the way you view an action taken by that person. However, it is important to remember in these situations that everyone approaches life differently, with a different philosophy and mindset.
Before assuming the worst, ask yourself:
• Did you react to their actions negatively due to any ingrained prejudices?
• Are your emotions clouding your judgement?
• Is it possible that the person’ s intentions are not as bad as you think?
• What could be the person’ s point of view and reasoning?
Before you judge somebody on their actions, you must find out their intentions.
We tend to create scenarios in our minds about what we think will happen, usually based on our fears, doubts and biases. Self-awareness allows you to have clarity about those scenarios and control the way you see the situation.
THE ART OF COMMUNICATION
In order to communicate well, you need to learn the art of expressing yourself and being a good listener at the same time. Sometimes, it is the lack of expression that results in failures.
If somebody is giving you advice, don’ t just dismiss it without first listening. When you do not allow people to explain themselves to you, you shut the doors of communication.
Improve your communication skills:
• Listen to any advice given to you
• Understand the advice. Tell them what you understood from their advice and confirm with them,‘ Is that what you meant?’
• Compare the advice given to you to how you would do it
• Do whichever one is better
Heeding advice will broaden your mind to the wisdom others have to offer, keeping you grounded and aware of both yourself and others.
The Bible says,‘ Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.’ [ PROVERBS 19:20 ]
When you speak, you should aim not just to deliver words, but to convey your thoughts. If you want to perfectly transfer your thoughts to somebody else’ s mind, you need skills of perfect expression. Some people have a hard time expressing themselves in proper words. It is important to be explanatory when speaking so that the person you tell your views to is given the same understanding of your thoughts that you have.
DEALING WITH CRITICISM
The most important thing on the path to selfawareness is to know when to stop defending yourself. If you make a mistake and it is pointed out to you, it will greatly benefit your spiritual health to simply apologise and reflect upon criticism you have received.
In fact, you will find that a lot of problems and quarrels in life can be sorted if you remain silent and just listen. Knowing when to stop and listen is an effective way to avoid unnecessary conflict.
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The purpose of this guide was to encourage you to look deeper within yourself and provide the information you need to master your own being spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. For further information about Messiah Foundation International’ s approach to spirituality, visit: http:// www. theawaitedone. com
16 MESSIAH HERALD / ISSUE 02 / MAR 2017