The Power of Self-Reflection and Contemplation

Many of us live very hectic lives hurtling ourselves from one activity to another with little time for self-reflection and contemplation. Then there comes a moment in your life when you think "Something is missing". The missing ingredient is often you because you have not taken time to keep in touch with yourself.

Glenn Dietzel of Awaken the Author Within believes in the following:

"He or She who self-reflects to the greatest degree leaves the most powerful legacy."

Contemplation allows your inner-most thoughts to surface. It gives you time to acknowledge and analyse your feelings about certain things. It helps to keep you in integrity. It helps you to identify your purpose in life and fulfil that purpose. It keeps you centred and on your true path.

You may think that you cannot afford to take time out to reflect. You're just too busy. The truth is that you cannot afford not to. The level of your success depends upon it. Being busy does not necessarily equate to increased productivity.

A General does not lead his troops into battle time and time again without taking time out to plan, strategise, rest and recuperate. Similarly, in order to get the most out of your days, you must allow for time to do nothing and by that I don't mean watch TV. Why not spend time in nature?

When I was in Barbados I used my walks along the beach at sunrise as my time for reflection and contemplation. Listening to the sound of the waves, watching how the waves rolled towards the shore; playing the game of "catch-me-if-you-can" with the sea (the sea always won); feeling the sand beneath my feet - sometimes firm and at other times soft so that my feet sank deep into the sand; and among other things, discovering what the sea had deposited on the beach was always a source of wonder and delight. I felt connected.

Discover what works for you. You can even create a haven within your home where you can have your own private retreat. It is in those times when you are able to be still, and by that I mean still within when you can clam your mind so that all the irrelevant chatter and noise fades into nothingness, that you receive your greatest wisdom.

"The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom."
James Allen



reflection contemplation