Face Yourself

                                                 

 “Sometimes the hardest person to face is yourself.”  

                                                                                          Dan Skognes

Why is it so hard for us to see ourselves as we really are? It is almost as if we have put on a mask and forgotten how to take it off. We are very good at fooling others and even ourselves when it comes to who we really are.

The thing that drives us into hiding is fear. We fear what others will think, that we are not what we could or should be, or that we don’t measure up in comparison to others. We even fear change itself.

Can we take off our masks for a moment and really look at ourselves honestly? What do you see? The problem with being honest with yourself is that it requires each of us to be vulnerable. You probably won’t like everything you see. Everyone is flawed. Nobody on this earth is perfect and we all have issues. We just don’t want to talk about them much less admit them.

As we come to the close of another year, let’s begin by being honest with ourselves and work on those things we CAN change in ourselves for the better. Perhaps we need to eat more sensibly, get more exercise, work harder, get more rest, have more fun in life, work on our relationship with God or with our family, etc. Whatever it is, like the Nike slogan says: “Just Do It.”

If you can admit you need to change something, that is the first step. Then you just have to follow through and stay the course. I decided about a year ago that I was going to lose some weight. My cholesterol was out of whack, my blood pressure was high, and my back was hurting me a lot. I have lost almost 35 lbs. since then. I am not bragging…but telling you that it can be done if you set your mind to it.

I hope and pray each of you has a blessed New Year. It starts with being honest with yourself. Your Happy New Year can begin today if you are willing to face yourself.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

2 Responses to “Face Yourself”

  1. Julie Blaesing-Brown says:

    Loved your blog. Very Motivational! Thank you?
    I’m going through some tough health issues and just life. So I know God led me to your writings for inspiration!!
    May God’s face shine upon you ?