Self-Consciousness

by Merci Gracia | Apr 30, 2018 | Identity, Self-Awareness

It’s common to want to protect our self-image. If we feel it’s threatened, we can react defensively or aggressively, as if our very safety hangs in the balance. But, activation of these instinctive reactions to protect our personal identity, ironically...

Downside of Defensiveness

by Merci Gracia | Apr 18, 2018 | Humility, Identity

Defensiveness is a byproduct of feeling that people see our behavior differently than we want them to. Unfortunately, it results in a lack of receptivity to the feedback being offered. The practice of checking this knee-jerk reaction and instead opening to what people...

Personal Barometer

by Merci Gracia | Feb 21, 2018 | Identity

It’s tempting to compare ourselves with others and wonder how we measure up? Are we as impressive or successful? Will we need to redouble our efforts in order to feel worthy? We ask these questions when our self-acceptance is based on comparisons. We can use...

The Pitfalls of Identity

by Merci Gracia | Feb 9, 2018 | Identity, True Self

We often evaluate ourselves in comparison with others in order to prove our self-worth. We explain where we’ve been, why we’ve been there and how that entitles us to go where we want to go in the future. While this practice may be useful in some aspects of...

Identity Proposition

by Merci Gracia | Nov 14, 2017 | Identity

Our identities are double edge swords. Trying to develop ones that impress others can inspire us to greatness, but attachment to the image others have of us keeps us chasing. It’s hard to let go of our constructed self-images until we either become healthy or...

Identity Prisoner

by Merci Gracia | Aug 20, 2017 | Identity

We all form an identity and think it’s who we are. But attachment to an idea about ourselves limits us and causes stress as we struggle to uphold an image. As a result, we play smaller than we are because by nature we are constantly growing, changing and...