Some time ago my house was restructured. Before
each room could be worked on I cleared it out. As I negotiated each
area I found forgotten items that were used only a handful of times, or had proved
inadequate for the purpose I originally intended. I told myself to
be ruthless; if it had not been useful within the previous six months, then bin
it. However, each time I picked up an article, I went through the
process of remembering when and for what it had last been
used. Finally I decide if I could or should use it
again. Sometimes protectively, I saved an item, just in
case it could be made use of later.
The same thing happens when we decide to improve some aspect
of the person we are. We question whether we should become more or
less of this or that. It seems scary to let go of behaviour that
protected and/or gave us identity. We remember characteristics that have become
hidden by life, and wonder if they should be reintroduced to our self
now. The question to ask is ‘Will that aspect be adequate for
who I intend me to be?’.
