Be Extraordinary (for Raymond Rhine) by Guy Tal

Author:Guy Tal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rockynook

In the previous section, I explained that becoming who you are is not something to accomplish once and for all and then check the “became who I am” box. Rather, it is an ongoing process of constant learning and evolving by various means: by introspection (self-examination), by trial and error, by keeping up with relevant research (especially in fields like personality psychology and other cognitive sciences), by considering what great thinkers (i.e., philosophers) have, or had, to say about such things as human nature, happiness, and ethics (i.e., how to live most meaningfully and virtuously).

It is no surprise, given the complexity of the human mind and the limitations of human knowledge, that you may at times find conflicting opinions about important aspects of life, or encounter evidence that may challenge or contradict your prior knowledge, intuitions, or beliefs. It is ultimately up to you to seek information and understanding, to recognize what “being who I am” means to you, to acknowledge that it may mean different things at different times, and ultimately to find the courage to become that person, even if it is not the person you previously thought you were or wanted to be, or the person other people expect you to be.

Despite so many platitudes about the need to “find yourself,” learning something about who you really are is not necessarily an opportunity for self-improvement. Often, it may just as well be an opportunity for self-acceptance. Knowing when one is more appropriate than the other is ultimately a matter of being honest with yourself. It is true that none of us is perfect, but it is also true that none of us is free from biases and prejudices, especially about ourselves.

Certain kinds of art and attitudes toward art can assist you in the process of learning about and becoming who you are. For example, making creative art requires tapping into your ability to come up with original ideas, reflecting and training certain aspects of your personality (such as openness to experience). Making self-expressive art—art that gives tangible form to your own feelings—can help you discover who you are by making you consciously aware and mindful of your thoughts and emotions, contemplating and articulating them as you strive to find ways to express them in your artwork. Also, striving to express meaningful thoughts, feelings, and experiences will motivate you and perhaps give you the courage to seek out and pursue elevated experiences and states of mind worth expressing in your art. Knowing who you are can be immensely helpful in identifying what kind of life, work, and artistic considerations (choice of media, process, goals) are most suitable and rewarding to the unique person that is you (even if they may not be so for others).

Achieving self-knowledge is no doubt difficult, but it is not the end of the road. It is like climbing a steep mountain to gain a long view. The next step, which may be just as difficult (in some ways, more difficult) is to apply

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