Seeing Ourselves the Way We Really Are

"There's nothing worse than being your own worst enemy."  I heard that from a former coach as a youth and never really understood it.  Now, as an adult, I see how that statement has manifested itself in my own life and the lives of so many others.  It's very difficult to see ourselves the way we really are and many times those misconceptions of self tend to lead us to poor decisions.  This is where having "good" friends and/or a spouse come into play.  I say  "good" because we really need the type of friends that will tell us when we are off course.  I'm not only referring to the friend who has the nerve to tell you that you have something stuck in between your teeth.  I am also referring to the friend that will flat out tell you that you are "wrong" in no uncertain amount of terms.  As adults, we play that role well for our children and students.  We immediately let them know when they are off course knowing that correction is sometimes the greatest form of affection.  Yet, with each other, we adults tend to avoid the courageous statement or conversation.  We let our social cues and "respect" for others lead us to allow our friends slide further down the slippery slope. 

I tell my colleagues that they need to tell me when I have something stuck in between my teeth.  In fact, if I go through an entire day, look at myself in the mirror, and see food in between my teeth, I am coming after them.  I need their correction...I just hope I am mature enough to take it!