----------------------------------------

	----------------------------------------
	Know yourself
	February 07th, 2018
	----------------------------------------

	I picked up a little box of cards called Know Yourself [0].
	They're prompts for self-exploration or meditation. In all, there
	are 60 cards that ask you questions to help guide you to a more
	thorough understanding of self.

	I'm a nerd for a lot of things, many of which are technical.
	Hardware hacking, obscure programming languages, weird Japanese
	flutes, you get the idea. Some of my nerdiness is geared toward
	philosophy and religion, though. I have that Jesuit background, of
	course, and a long history of reading and experimenting with other
	options than Catholocism. Through all that jazz I've collected
	ideas just like I collect old machines. Meditation techniques are
	my aesthetic, as the kids say.

	Anyway, here's one card to whet your whistle:

	Front:

	In your worst fears, what might your colleagues at work be
	criticising you for behind your back?

	Rear:

	There is no point being squeamish here. Your fears are
	correct. Anything you might suspect others might think is
	already a reality. The point isn't to escape such imagined
	gossip but to take gracious measures to deal with its almost
	certain existence.

	It's an interesting card and it put my mind on a few things.
	I like to walk around and visit with people at work as a way of
	taking a break, stretching my legs and my mind. I'm sure it annoys
	some of the people in the office, though I don't think it's the
	ones I visit. I'm sure there's people who have personal feelings
	against the way I handle situations, or whom I rub the wrong way.
	I don't always roll over and let people have their way, and that
	can be seen as combative or antagonistic at times.

	These aren't new thoughts and they don't bother me. I've accepted
	that my purpose in my career isn't to be liked by all people. It's
	to be effective, fulfilled as much as possible, to forge good
	relationships where possible, and to provide for my family. I'm
	okay with the rest as-is.

	The other part that grabbed my attention was the bit on the
	flipside of the card. I like the directness it takes and even the
	way its worded. On the surface it seems like it's suggesting that
	you find a way to fix or rectify the things at work which you may
	be criticised for. Upon a closer look it carefully says only to
	"take gracious measures to deal with" the criticism.

	In stoic terms, this is a fantastic approach because it's not
	focused on fixing something which is beyond your control (i.e.,
	making those around you like you), but instead with the elements
	that are in your control (namely, your reactions). Think long and
	hard about the criticisms others may have and consider them. Are
	they valid? If so, I may want to change something I do, or I may
	feel that my choice is more important than their reaction to it.
	Maybe their criticism is invalid. Whichever situation may exist
	the most important thing is to find peace with it and focus my
	energy on only the things which are in my absolute control.

	I like these cards. Maybe I'll do a written response to another
	one some day.


	[0] Know Yourself - Cards for Self-Exploration