It often happens that I commit to achieving something I feel I can excel at, only to discover that I fail to do so. This really frustrates and de-motivates me - leading to a low self-esteem - and I stop believing in myself. Does this sound familiar?

Well, one day I realized that there was actually nothing wrong with my persona. I was attempting to achieve the unachievable. I thought I was a lion which I was not, in reality. I lacked a realistic understanding of myself and my capabilities which led me to feel very depressed.

What did I learn? Discovering and understanding yourself leads you to accept yourself the way you are, and in turn makes you a very happy person. You can’t direct the wind, but you can definitely adjust your sails. Life will take its own course, and you cannot control it, but if you understand yourself, you can and will enjoy life to the fullest.

Here's how to understand yourself -

Step 1:

The first step toward understanding yourself is to accept that you exist. Each one of us is unique and worthwhile, in our own special ways. We matter to our close friends and family, and we have a say in everything we do. Begin with learning the need to understand yourself. You are very important both for yourself and to others. You have to make your life worthwhile for yourself as well as for others.

Step 2:

Now you need to delve into your persona to understand the real YOU, without any pretensions. Analyze the way you feel about yourself. You can start with answering a few questions like:

• What do you want from your life?
• Do others perceive you the way you want them to?
• How much are you capable of achieving?
• Are you living your life or are you just going through it?
• What makes you really happy?
• Have you ever felt joyful or has life’s harshness caused you to lose the innocent little child within?

In trying to understand yourself, appreciate your strengths and recognize your weaknesses. Rather than denying or shying away from your flaws, you can help yourself greatly by accepting them and working on them if possible. Build an honest and complete picture of yourself.

Step 3:

Once you understand yourself, you can always work to better yourself, but it should be by choice and not as a compulsion. Remember, there is no reason for you to be any different from who you are now. Understanding yourself means being comfortable with who you are and realizing your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you live better and believe that you are both loveable and capable.

Life is filled with wonders. You need to understand yourself before you can discover life’s wonders. Always remember that "life is like a box of chocolates" (thank you Forrest Gump). We will never know why things happen the way they do, or what will happen next. You are what you are. Your understanding of yourself will only help you to love yourself deeper.

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