“ ‘There is truth, my boy.
But the doctrine you desire, absolute, perfect dogma that alone provides
wisdom, does not exist. Nor should you long for a perfect doctrine, my
friend. Rather, you should long for the perfection of yourself. The
deity is within you, not in the ideas and books. Truth is lived, not
taught.’ ”
- The Glass
Bead Game (Herman Hesse)
"After seven years of work, leave.
And go among strangers. So that those that know you don't prevent
you from becoming...the next version of yourself."
- Anonymous (Paraphrased
Proverb).
I learned a new word the other day: "self-actualization." Thought I would share.
According to Wikepedia, self-actualization
refers to "the motive to reach one's full potential" (to become one's
potentialities; to live creatively and fully and to express and activate to the
fullest of his capacities):
"In his studies, Maslow found that
self-actualizers share similarities. Whether famous or unknown, educated or
not, rich or poor, self-actualizers tend to fit the following profile.
• Efficient
perceptions of reality. Self-actualizers
are able to judge situations correctly and honestly. They are very sensitive to
the fake and dishonest, and are free to see reality 'as it is'.
• Comfortable
acceptance of self, others, nature. Self-actualizers
accept their own human nature with all its flaws. The shortcomings of others
and the contradictions of the human condition are accepted with humor and
tolerance.
• Spontaneity. Maslow's
subjects extended their creativity into everyday activities. Actualizers tend
to be unusually alive, engaged, and spontaneous.
• Task
centering. Most of Maslow's
subjects had a mission to fulfill in life or some task or problem ‘beyond’
themselves (instead of outside of themselves’) to pursue. Humanitarians such as
Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa are considered to have possessed this
quality.
• Autonomy. Self-actualizers
are free from reliance on external authorities or other people. They tend to be
resourceful and independent.
• Continued
freshness of appreciation. The
self-actualizer seems to constantly renew appreciation of life's basic goods. A
sunset or a flower will be experienced as intensely time after time as it was
at first. There is an "innocence of vision", like that of an artist
or child.
• Fellowship
with humanity. Maslow's subjects
felt a deep identification with others and the human situation in general.
• Profound
interpersonal relationships. The
interpersonal relationships of self-actualizers are marked by deep loving
bonds.
• Comfort
with solitude. Despite their
satisfying relationships with others, self-actualizing persons value solitude
and are comfortable being alone.
• Non-hostile
sense of humor. This refers to the wonderful capacity to
laugh at oneself. It also describes the kind of humor a man like Abraham
Lincoln had. Lincoln probably never made a joke that hurt anybody. His wry
comments were gentle proddings of human shortcomings.
• Peak
experiences. All of Maslow's
subjects reported the frequent occurrence of peak experiences (temporary
moments of self-actualization). These occasions were marked by feelings of
ecstasy, harmony, and deep meaning. Self-actualizers reported feeling at one
with the universe, stronger and calmer than ever before, filled with light,
beautiful and good, and so forth.
In summary, self-actualizers feel finally
themselves, safe, not anxious, accepted, loved, loving, and alive, certainly
living a fulfilling life."
Pretty good stuff, eh? Its really about constantly evolving. Something to shoot for. And some days - maybe - I feel like I'm on my way. Others, not so much. Its true. But such is life.
