Can You See the Real Me?

Self Help vs Self Knowlege

Among all of the confusing messages thrown at people by modern culture is that we won't be happy until we accept our selves just the way we are (along with the messages that we need nose jobs and jeans that cost $500). From comercials to motivational speakers and self-help books, it seems as though everyone is ecouraging people to celebrate their selves just the way they are. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone is unique and and deserves to be celebrated and appreciated, by others as well as their selves.

This celebration of self, however, seems to lack seems to lack any introspection or restraints placed upon them. In fact, we have moved from Socrates dictum, "Know thy self" to one recommending blind acceptance. People relish in being loud, brash and presumptuous; traits they do not see as flaws to be worked on but things to be celebrated. Terms like "bitch" have even become badges that some people wear proudly.

This trend is thrown into even greater contrast at the start of Lent. We are encouraged to look within ourselves and make changes in our lives, adding, omitting, or amending habits in order to make us better people, better Christians. No longer is the goal just blind self acceptance of self, it is a realistic self appraisal. This does achieve Socrates' maxim, for the only way to truly know yourself is to see your faults and to work to change them. That is worth celebrating.