Is it important for me to know myself?

Heck, you deserve at least one click. If I had to guess there are those who are unsure enough of themselves that they don't want to take the quiz publicly.

I must be allowed to chuckle a bit Ms. Cyprah, the quiz is almost identical to one I helped compose years ago to ascertain the extent of one's ego.

Your words are good and bear validity. I would like to add though, that if you don't know yourself by the time you get to our age, you are probably better off never knowing.:)

If you don't know much about your background, history, culture, gender and what you value, how will you get on with others in mutual respect? They cannot respect what they don't understand.

This is an area that an adult who was moved around from place to place as a foster child has to overcome. There is not much information on your roots with children's agencies. Maybe there is now, but not when I was in the system. There is no continuity with who you are or where you came from so you have to develop 'identity' from scratch . In this sense, adults who were foster children probably have a stronger sense of 'self-awareness' if they have gone through the process. Otherwise, you just waddle around in a fog.

Those who have grown up with roots who have or had a mother and father have no idea how lucky they are. When they become adults, after all of the battling is over, hopefully what you have are parents that are 'friends' that you can also go back to and lean on as parents if needed. I don't have that and never had. It leaves a gaping hole in you that can never be filled. Since you do not have that security cushion, it is more important than ever for adults who were in unstable foster care setting to have that learned 'identity, confidence, self-awareness, and self-knowledge'. It is the only way they have been able to pull out of what could have been a self-destructive mode.

Thank you for this article, Ms Cyprah, and permitting me to give another view of things that many of us take for granted.

Respectfully, Pon

Thank you for sharing a very thoughtful, earnest post. Sincerity and wisdom are so rare these days. You’ve accomplished both! I always look forward to reading your comments and articles. You are inspirational and wonderfully human.

As the oldest, I was always expected to set an example for my siblings. This made me work myself to pieces to excel in whatever I set out to do. My identity or what defined me was based on how much I achieved. I have now learned to realize that I must do the things that give me the greatest joy, and I no longer feel like I have to set the bar so high for my siblings. I've learned to let my hair down and simply have fun.

I'm still learning about me and I'm no longer trying to live my life to please others. I have my highs and my lows, but I'm getting real comfortable with myself and most of all, I enjoy my own company. As selfish as that may seem to others, I love that feeling of independence. Life is an everlasting learning experience and I'm gonna try to enjoy it while constantly learning new things about myself.

Excellent article!