4 Keys To Self-empowerment by Living the Examined Life

Our world is rapidly changing and often presents obstacles and events that other generations have not experienced nor learned to cope with. Clearly life in the twenty-first century has vastly changed from the kind of environment that most of us grew up to accept as normal. Today’s children must learn to adapt to information, technology and rapid change in a way that most adults never dreamed possible as they grew to adulthood.

Life has always been, but now vastly more so, a series of changes, challenges and transitions. Navigating through “troubled waters” can often leave us in various states of dismay. However, if we have learned to consciously deal with and move through the smaller changes and challenges on a regular basis, then the larger ones that loom before us seem a little more manageable.

Here is a four-step process that aids both individuals and organizations in moving through both adversity and opportunity, while at the same time, learning new skills and adjusting to new realities.

CLARIFYING VALUES

Take time, both as individuals or as a group, to define your values. What is the code of ethics or principles that you wish to live by? It is important to determine what values you believe to be true, as opposed to what you have been programmed by family, culture, or others to believe is true. It’s a good idea to review these from time to time in order to stay current with any new insights that have been gained.

MODIFYING BEHAVIOR

After ascertaining just what values you want to live or operate by, the next step is to take a good look at how your life aligns with those values. You may need to make some adjustments here.

INNER EXPLORATION

Often there are unconscious or childhood memories that keep us from expressing our truer nature. By confronting and understanding them, we are better able to ameliorate any inappropriate behavior.

And, also, give thought to the body/mind connection. Often the egoic mind fools us into thinking we can’t do something before we even try. The mind is a wonderful servant, but a poor master. Go into your heart space for the most accurate information.

SEEK THE EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE

There is an evolutionary process that seems to seek the higher good. In psychology this has often been referred to as the “Organic Process,” or in some circles it is called the “Evolutionary Impulse.” Religion would call it “God’s Will,” while other spiritual movements would say “Divine Order.” All are speaking of the same process. It is here that hindsight is better than foresight, and acceptance of what can’t be changed, or “going with the flow,” is the wiser way. And, in the end, we often find that which we resisted most eventually produced incredibly positive results.

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This article is written by Ione Jenson, an educator and counselor in both public and private school systems. She was also an owner and director of a Holistic Retreat and Spiritual Counseling Center for over 23 years.

She has written, among other books published by Hay House, the recently released book: Coming Full Circle through Changes, Challenges and Transitions. Available at book stores and Amazon.

Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/changeschallengesandtransitions and her blog at http://overthemilesofmymind.com.