The authentic self

Discovering our true self helps us become free to make the choices for developing our fullest potential that are in our best interest.

by Steven Patascher, Ph.D. — 

Self-discovery is a journey, a process that is initiated by a real need to know, which fosters the uncovering, unearthing and discovering of one’s inner navigational system. Discovering our true self helps us become free to make the choices for developing our fullest potential that are in our best interest.

This means we begin to develop integrity and become a trustworthy person. We work toward realizing our greatness potential. We experience joy because who we are on the inside is in harmony with who we express on the outside.

Discovering who we are and learning how to be authentic are things worth accomplishing. Discovering our authentic self is an art. When we achieve true authenticity, we are rewarded with a greater consciousness and more capacities. We are able to find an occupation we love or we learn to love our present occupation.

Loving where we are in the moment is something we can do in spite of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. As we embrace life, we are more able to stay in charge of ourselves. If we treat the present situation as a transition phase, we can work toward our higher destiny. Situations become opportunities to serve or to learn. We are freer to live our life in harmony with who we really are, as opposed to living a life someone else thinks we should be living.

Learning to know the truth, to tell the truth and to live the truth becomes a way of life. We become aware that we have an inner life that requires nourishing and nurturing. We give up expressing form over substance (looking good is good enough). We learn to communicate skillfully and give up the desire to want people to tell us only what we want to hear, or to tell people only what we think they want to hear. We learn to express our authentic self.

Steven Patascher, Ph.D., CPC, is a certified professional life coach in Phoenix, Ariz. 602-595-2390. 

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 25, Number 3, June/July 2006.