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3 Steps to simplify your life!

6/8/2018

 
Picture

Step 1: Give up false Self Identity
Step 2: Give up being perfect
Step 3: Give up being right

​Simplicity is one of the most attractive qualities in life!
​

In this fast-paced ego-driven world, we often forget about who we are and attach ourselves to false self-identities. False self-identities create confusion, anxiety and depression. It’s like wearing clothes that don’t fit, yet pretending that you like it. Eventually you lose touch with who you truly are. You strive for perfection. You believe that who you are is based on the things you own, how you look, and your position on the social ladder.
 
Here is a story about how a false self-identity can destroy a human being. When I was 7 years old, my father had a very prestigious job in Taiwan. After working decades for the government, he was about to be promoted as the head of the aviation administration for all of Taiwan.
 
My father was known for his brutal honesty and upright personality. At that time, many government officials were taking bribes. He wasn’t good with the political games and was disgusted with all of the corruption and bribery in the system. Eventually and ironically, he was framed and accused of bribery.
 
The lawsuit lasted for 10 years. In Taiwan a person could be tried repeatedly for the same crime until a guilty verdict was reached. Even though there were 3 verdicts of not guilty, the 4th verdict was guilty. My father ended up having to serve 6 months in prison. He went from being a brilliant charismatic strong man to an unemployed sad broken man. My father was completely destroyed because his entire self-identity was based on his career.
 
It is common for people to hold on to false self-identities. You can misidentify many things as your self-identity, such as what you do, how you look, your thoughts and feelings, who you are associated with, or your social status and possessions. In reality, you are much more than all of these!
 
So how do you train yourself to recognize that you are holding on a false self-identity?
 
#1: If you feel awful about yourself, that is an indication that you might be holding on something that doesn’t reflect who you truly are.
 
#2: If you feel like you are better than everyone else, then you might be holding on a false sense of security.
 
Make a commitment today to identify and give up all of your false self-identities. Your true self-identity is pure love, pure peace, and pure joy. When you have clarity about who you truly are, letting go becomes much easier. This is the first step of simplifying your life!
 
Life really is simple. Just be your true self! Allow yourself to be the flowing energy that is full of love, peace and joy. After all, life is like a box of chocolates… let yourself enjoy every piece of it!
 
“What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” ~ Mother Teresa

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    Authors

    Jenna Jarrold, MS, LAC, NCC
    Staff Therapist
    ​Zen Institute

    Brad R. Peters
    Co-Founder & CEO
    ​Zen Institute

    Wen Chi Chien, M.A. LPC

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Staff
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    • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Overview
    • Inner Twin Therapy >
      • Inner Twin Testimonials
    • Eastern Philosophy in Treatment
    • FAQs
  • Testimonials
    • Treatment Testimonials
    • Inner Twin Testimonials
    • Compare Zen Institute
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Coronavirus & COVID-19 mental health resources
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    • CareCredit Financing
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  • Photos
    • Zen Institute Tucson
    • Virtual Tour
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  • Contact Us