BEST LIFE U Podcast - MINDFUL LIVING Overview, Part 2

Living mindfully in a changing world is a foundational construct in Dr. Brown’s life work. In this episode, part 2, Dr. Brown discusses five of the eight mindful living constructs that will provide the basis for working toward being one's true self.

Transcript

Welcome to the Best Life University podcast. I'm Dr. Lynn Brown, A counselor and educator. In this podcast, I discuss a myriad of topics related to the five dimensions of personal growth, Mental, Social, Spiritual, Emotional, And physical. Thank you so much for listening. Today's topic is Living Mindfully in a Changing World, Mindful Living Overview, Part 2. 4. The tendency toward personal growth is directional in that it is moving toward that true self which already exists. As human beings, It is our tendency to realize, Fulfill, And perfect our capabilities and potentials. Our true self already exists. It is inside us, A core being that needs to be expressed. It is not created externally through deciding who we will be using our intellect. Our discomfort comes from not recognizing our true self. 5. The tendency toward personal growth is toward self-regulation and away from being controlled by others. This is a tendency toward autonomy. After all, Because our true self already exists, We are the only judge of what is personally appropriate. So we become less inclined to listen to others and more prone to listening to ourselves. The first separation, The terrible twos, Is when we first identify as an individual. This is a strange time because we now recognize ourselves as being separate and become part of a community. The second separation, The teen years, Is when historically we would become an adult. So our autonomy feels very important despite living in a time when supporting ourselves is almost impossible. However, Because of anthropology, We are determined to be independent. 6. The tendency toward personal growth means a movement from being okay to better toward best. There are no perceived disturbances or disorders which need to be eliminated and replaced by normalcy. Mindful living is not based upon an illness-health model. The goal is not to eliminate a problem and to, Therefore, Achieve some undefinable normalcy. It is a positive goal, Not a negative concept of moving past disturbance, Disorder, Or mental illness. Arriving for true self is the goal of life. It is applicable to the normal person who feels unhappy, Unfulfilled, Dissatisfied, And wants to become more satisfied and to use more of his or her potential. We are always okay because we are always doing the best we can. 7. The tendency to move toward personal growth has nothing to do with adjusting oneself to the outside world and the resulting issues of conformity and control. In mindful living, There is nothing outside the true self because the true self, By definition, Allows for dealing with intra- as well as interpersonal relationships. When we are being our true selves, We automatically allow for others to do the same. Mindful living eliminates having to resolve the question of adjusting to what others demand and the resulting issues. 8. The tendency toward personal growth is the basic motivation of all human beings. We all have the tendency to enhance ourselves. It is a characteristic we all possess. Everything in nature has the potential to become only what it is inherently. A rose cannot become an oak tree. An elephant cannot become a giraffe. And so it is with each of us. Organisms have one basic tendency that is to achieve, Maintain, And enhance self. To ignore the tendency to move toward personal growth results in discomfort, Confusion, And stress because we are not allowing ourselves to act in line with who we really are. Copyright 2021, Lynn Baranis Brown.