Self-discovery is like an onion. As we peel back the layers, the truth of who we are begins to reveal itself more and more.

September has always been a significant month for me. A time when I have started new things and made big changes, a lot of which have altered my life in big ways.

Recently I was reflecting that it was in September, 24 years ago, that I went to my first meditation retreat and learned to mediate. I’d love to say that since that day I’ve been a dedicated meditator but that’s not how my story goes.

As humans we will experience a full gamut of emotions - one of them being fear.
 
When we are afraid we feel a sensation in our body. The default reaction is usually to push the fear away or push it down. We want it to be gone. But the more we push it down or try to get rid of it, the longer it will stay.

We are incredible beings with unlimited potential. Our thoughts, words and actions have a tremendous impact on not only our own lives, but those around us too and this impact can be positive or negative.

For many of us, the quest for perfection is constant and is often so deeply engrained in our thought patterns and behaviours that we don’t notice how much control and influence it has over our lives.

Last week we talked about “the problem with perfect”. Could you relate? Most of us can, at least to some degree.

There are times we may feel more confident, aware, focused and in a good groove and ‘The Perfectionist’ isn’t on our radar but there are also times when our inner critic – you know, that negative, nagging voice judging from the depths of our subconscious mind – is front and center and begging for attention.

Our society is a very external one. There’s a huge amount of emphasis put on what’s going on around us; what we do for a living, what we look like, what we have. The popular belief is that the more we have it together on the outside, the happier we must be. But as many of us are aware, that’s just not the case.