Each one of us has an inner life and an outer life. Our outer life is what is visible to the world - what we have, what we look like, what positions we hold, what we do or even what we say. The outer life is an image of ourselves that we present to the world - in other words how we want the world to perceive us and see us. We spend all out time to preserve, protect, defend or sustain this outer image. Often times it takes something traumatic like a death, facing illness or loss that shatters that image and forces us to look at the inner life. Why? It is at moments like those that we realise that “true meaning” in life is based on my inner world of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, beliefs, spirituality and experiences. Many times we ignore this aspect of ourselves, since it is the invisible part of ourselves.

When we take the time to look inward and examine our inner life, we create in us a capacity to understand our deeper needs and seek ways to sustain the self. In other words it means we need time to listen to the self to understand the self.

Renewal, growth and transformation is triggered in the self when I claim the moment to look inward and be accountable for my inner life. This requires courage and inner work. To listen to the inner self, means to give oneself the space to quieten the mind. Giving the time to settle thoughts and return to a place of inner solitude within. This inner quietness bring clarity and focus. Why is it necessary? Only when my inner life is aligned with my outer life - the way I think and feel is congruent with what I say and do, can there be true resilience. No matter what is happening externally, I remain internally stable. I can only flow with outer change when my inner life's stable. Otherwise there will be resistance to outer change. Inner congruency is what creates contentment and inner security. So drop the image and reclaim your inner contentment.