Do We Need Other People in Order to Understand Ourselves?

DO WE NEED OTHER PEOPLE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND OURSELVES?

It is difficult to see myself objectively; this is because there is a gap between how l see myself and how others perceive me. While l judge myself based on emotions, others judge me based on my actions and behavior and as a result, people see a different picture of me from that which l see. Although people’s perception of me do not define nor peg me within a certain hole, the way they see me gives me an insight( devoid of emotions) of my true nature thus giving me a better understanding of the kind of person that l am.

Usually, it takes others to make me see my inner self. Other people’s actions tend to open my eyes and actually see how l am living my life either for good or for bad. There are times, l may not know the kind of talent inherent within me until another urges me towards an act that helps me realize the treasure hidden within me.

When l assess other people’s behavior and pass judgment based on my assessment be it positive or negative, it helps me rate my own behavior when compared that assessment. Such comparism gives me a clearer picture of who l am and who l want to be. The way people treat me is generally (with a few exceptions) more of a reflection of who l am. When l step back and analyze other people’s treatment and behavior towards me, it helps me see my true self and understand that most times such treatment stems from my own behavior and actions towards others.

To some degree, without other people, l may suffer from the inability to see myself objectively. I may tend to dig in and defend my poor decision, my self imposed labels, my nasty habits even when they maybe clearly doing me no good and all because l lack a better understanding of myself. But my interaction with others, helps me see myself clearer and root out any self destructive nature that l may have and as a result change me for better.