awareness

Awareness

As human beings, we are so easily programed to get into habits that we don’t even recognize we are doing. For example, while my son was participating in remote learning last year, I would listen while one particular professor was speaking. I was aware that she would say, “Right?” almost every 4-5 words. I noticed her habit over the course of a couple weeks before I brought it to my sons attention. He informed me that he had not noticed that about her until I brought it to his attention. ( I don’t think he appreciated my insight, lol!) The point is that we don’t know what we don’t know.

We tend to think we are more aware and clear about ourselves and others than we truly are. Take a little time each day to observe your own behaviors and see if you can recognize ones that have become habits over time. Maybe, you eat your food too fast, interrupt while others are speaking, or don’t even recognize the voice in your mind that is cutting you down.

I’ve been guilty of these in my past.

Are you actually focused on your teeth while you are brushing them or is your mind somewhere else?

This can also serve us in our relationships. Maybe, we don’t show up for our loved ones or share with them how we are feeling. We create habits that don’t serve us. Once we recognize our behaviors with others, we can then create healthier habits that will serve our relationships in more satisfying ways.

Coming back to the moment, being present, breaking habits that don’t serve you are all ways of setting yourself free and creating new possibilities. These new awarenesses will allow more creativity, imagination and joy to show up. When we become aware of the robotic behaviors we have created over time and allow ourselves to break away and create more productive behaviors, our lives will blossom.