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Understanding your inner self is very important in self-development. If you are to be a better, well-rounded person, you have to understand the importance of your inner self. This is especially true of fiction writers, for this is where your characters come from. Your inner self is the source of your emotions, as well as subconscious decisions you might take for granted.

In our day-to-day lives, we experience all sorts of experiences, and these experiences shape how we are — be it in our inner self or the self we show to the world. At times, we do not even realize the effect that day-to-day experiences have on our inner self.

Take a daughter who is constantly being shouted at by her father, although she might be able to walk around with a broad smile, at times the shouting could have an adverse effect on the poor girl’s inner self. [Worse yet, it might even affect the expression of her very genetics, causing disease later in life.] Our inner self is the intimate part of our self; we keep it very guarded deep inside us.
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The act of giving your very best to the needy can likewise cultivate the best emotional satisfaction in your heart. It is a profound way to feed your spirit. Whatever form of help you extend, be it service or something of value, you will undoubtedly receive something better in return.

Is there anything better than a simple “thank you” that is meant with sincerity? Is there anything better than the appreciation that makes you feel needed and important? Is there anything better than to see smiles on other people’s faces for having made them feel equally important and cared for?

If your physical resources are limited, you can put your talent or creativity to work. You’re a writer, remember? You are naturally creative! Your urge to help those in need should inspire you to find ways in accumulating resources to actualize your intention. You can come up with ideas to generate more money through fund raising programs. You may also give more of your time doing volunteer service. You can use your writing talent to tell the stories that need to be told, but aren’t.
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I’m sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can’t wait to test out. Of course you’re not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative ideas, projects and activities?

For me it is, in part, my zest for life. It is also my belief in my gift to the world.

But that’s not always the case. I have my down moments, too, as I’m sure you do. But there are ways to make those down tides fewer and farther between. Here are some tips that can help.

1. Take passionate action toward living your life by design.
Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it.
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Everyone suffers from stress at some point in time — it is the curse of living in modern times. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions, minds and spirits.

Although relaxing isn’t always the best way to deal with stress — sometimes a good workout is what you need to get the stress out — relaxation exercises can help you deal with stressful situations.

For some, watching television is a form of relaxation, but it is not a recommended method by experts. When we watch TV we are bombarded with commercials, ads, sounds and images. Now if you’re skipping the commercials or watching a video, it might still work, though.

In recent studies, researchers have linked heart disease to anger and irritability, which, in turn, is linked to stress. Too much stress brings about ischemia (a restriction in blood supply) that can lead to or cause a heart attack. Managing your anger and attitude can have a significant effect on your heart’s health, and relaxation can help you manage this.
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In today’s world, we are barraged with a multitude of images of how we are supposed to be. Thinner. Stronger. Prettier. Smarter. You name it — there’s something out there to compare yourself with and … fall short.

This is not the way to live. You don’t need to compete with celebrities or professional trainers or even each other to maintain your self-esteem. All you need to do is know your core and become one with your sense of self.

I heard Stella Pope Duarte, author of If I Die in Juárez and Let Their Spirits Dance, earlier this week and she shared this little parable with us:

A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.”

The grandson asked him, “Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?”

The grandfather answered, “The one I feed.”

You must always be vigilant and be careful of which wolf you feed each day. Here are some things you can think about over the next week that might help you feed the wolf that’s right for you.
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