Have you thought what it would be like if you have discovered your true self? – This is a kind of question that would leave us wondering what could the right answer be. It causes us to reflect and think about what constitutes a true self. And while in that process of discovering ourselves, a disconcerting feeling suddenly kicks in. Self-discovery compels us to face the good, the bad, and the ugly inside us. Hence, the quote frequently attributed to EE cummings might help us in this journey.
Who was E.E. CUMMINGS
Edward Estlin Cummings was a poet, artist, and a playwright was born in Massachusetts in 1894. He is considered one of the most read American poets of all time. Unlike other artists, Cumming received strong support from his parents as soon as he started exploring his creative talent at the age of 8. Perhaps he was encouraged by his father who was a professor of sociology and political science at Harvard.
Cummings family was known to be part of an intensely cultured society and lived among distinguished professors. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Cummings received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Harvard University. During his time at Harvard he developed an interest in modern arts, this influenced both his poetry and his paintings. His poems were full of experimentations – such as defying standard punctuation by liberally using lower case.
Cummings is best remembered for the thousands of poems he wrote, but not so much for being a notable painter. As a matter of fact, at 24 years old he had his first public exhibition. His subjects included landscapes, portraits, and still life. In 1931, he even published a book of his artworks entitled CIOPW (charcoal, ink, oil, pencil, and watercolor).
Yet compared to Cummings’ poetry, his paintings are more direct and simpler. Even so, it is undeniable that Cummings had great gifts for both art forms. He simultaneously wrote poems and painted. He poured his time and passion in his works. Cummings knew who exactly he was and what he was capable of.
What is the meaning of the quote?
The quote has been attributed to Edward Cummings for many years but it is not clear if he is the original quotee. A book in 2015 entitled Enormous Smallness by Matthew Burgess does include the quote in the epigraph. The book is actually a picture book showing the biography of Edward Cummings which is named one of the “Best Children’s Book of 2015”. Regardless of the quote’s origin, it has without a doubt inspired a lot of people in their journey to self-discovery.
What is the meaning of the quote?
To discover who we really are can take a lifetime. It is a complicated journey that needs patience and perseverance. So why do we bother? It is for the reason that, by knowing our true self we can achieve greater things in life and avoid regrets when we get older. On this journey you might want to consider some of the following important ideas that will better with your path to self discover.
- Determine your strengths and weaknesses.
- Think about your desires
- Embrace your uniqueness
- Become a good listener
- Read books
One reason why we sometimes fail in our endeavors is the lack of understanding of our values, our character, and even our skillset. What is it that comes easy to you? What always causes your downfall? Use your strengths to your advantage and reveal your weaknesses so that you can keep growing and learning. With this in mind, you can definitely narrow down your options both your career and relationships.
Most of the times we equate our desires with selfishness. As a result, we leave ourselves neglected. Let’s say, you desire to pursue a higher degree. But as the breadwinner in your family, it would mean sacrificing a portion of your household budget. This situation just doesn’t sit right with you. Yet deep in your heart, you really want to go the university. While the decision on what to do remains yours, remember, our desires can shape our decisions which directly impacts our future.
No one is like you. Even identical twins are not completely identical. Your DNA is woven intricately just for you. That means, you have to understand and discover the characteristics that make you unique. Is it your personality? Are you the most resourceful among your peers? Are you calmer when faced with difficult situations? Look for that one thing that makes you different to the others.
We are often told that people’s opinion of us should not matter. This is not always true. Sometimes, people who see us can have a different perspective and can help us improve our self-awareness. Nevertheless, we must choose those people whose opinion are formed with the intention of helping and building us up. For sure, there is always that one person who comes to mind whom you can trust and who you can ask for advice.
This is perhaps the easiest to do but the hardest for us to be consistently doing. There are a lot of self-help books available these days. Choose topics that you think can help you learn new information about yourself. And while reading, write down the parts that struck you the most. Try to put it into action some of which you wrote down and see if it works.
THE COURAGE TO GROW
When you have come to a point where everything you do has no meaning, then you should probably pause and examine your life. Check whether you have become complacent, or in a position that you are stuck in a behavior that blocks your opportunity to grow. To get out of this situation, you would need courage.
The courage to forgive those who have wronged you. The courage to stand up against prejudices and discrimination. The courage to engage in new experiences. The courage to leave a toxic relationship. Even the courage to do something by yourself for the first time. Or the courage to wake up every day not knowing what lies ahead. Those acts of courage are not grand, but they bring you to a place of growth and maturity. In the words of the Roman philosopher.
Sometimes even to live is an act of courageSeneca