Friday, July 23, 2021
When it comes to making choices, we can bargain or talk ourselves into just about anything, regardless of what we know to be right and better for ourselves. “I’ll work off those extra calories in the gym,” or “Just one time won’t hurt me.” This kind of self-talk feels like self-deception, but in order to be deceived, there has part of you that has to knows better.
There is a deeper part of you that knows better. It knows you’re not going to follow through on those deals and promises that you make with yourself. It knows that the mind is not trustworthy. Rather than getting caught up in the illusion of self-deception, why not practice deep acceptance of what you truly desire for yourself? Why not fully embrace every choice you’ve ever made, and take full responsibility for them, no matter how “unforgivable” they may seem. Why not be a neutral, but careful observer of yourself?
Get behind the words you use and the actions you take, by paying closer attention to yourself. Listen when your mind starts negotiating whether you can or should have that chocolate cake or not. Rather than paying attention to that so-called self-negotiation, or compromise, pay attention consciously to your perception of choice itself. How does it feel to choose this or that? When you speak, how do the words sound? Do you like what you’ve chosen, and do you like the words you’ve used? Do you like your emotions, attitudes, and actions today? Self-deception lacks self-perception. The idea of self deception is self-distraction, and is mental chatter that covers up your ability to watch, to observe, to reflect, and to love yourself. It’s one part of the mind condemning the other. Start paying careful attention of your inner, “knowing” self. When you develop better self-perception, your words, actions, and choices will begin to please your spirit!