Reflection

One thing that I find is very important to do is to reflect. I often reflect on things that I've witnessed or been part of. I think back on conversations that I've had to try and understand better myself and the other person. I remember things that I've done or tried to do to realize more about my
character and personality. Sometimes I reflect on ideas that I've had in the past, and track how my though processes and perspectives have changed over time. I feel that this is all very important for developing as a mature person. The more I understand about all the realities surrounding my influence, the better I can intention to use my influence for God glorifying purposes. If I'm looking at my desires and motives and then I can discern how the attitude of my heart can be pleasing to God, then I'm better off that way. If I look at the consequences of my words or my actions, I can learn to speak and behave in a way that will honor God. My goal is to behave like Jesus Christ, so when I reflect upon things I have an image that I compare myself to.
Just looking at my heart or mind wouldn't do me any good if I was not going to compare it to something else.
For example, I have a thought about saying something cruel and destructive to another person. I recognize what I am intending to say and I can think about it. But from my understanding of the principals that Jesus adhered to in his life, I realize that saying this thing to this person would not be Christ like. So since I compared myself to Christ in my reflection, it reveals the differences between us and brings up the question: Do I want to act like Jesus? That thought process can happen any time. It could happen before I say the unkind words, during, or after when I'm looking back at the whole situation.

There are a few ways that I reflect. Sometimes I read the bible or some other book. Sometimes I play guitar and sing and listen to the words that I'm coming up with. Sometimes I have conversations with people I trust. Sometimes I just sit and have focused thoughts about a certain thing. Sometimes I write my thoughts on paper or in the computer. What I'm writing now is kind of like reflection.

I can think of a few good reasons why I should take time to just think and analyze my self and the things around me.
I can learn to be a better man.
That is one my my conscious goals. By seeing and noticing the way I behave and the way other men behave, I can develop an image of what a good man is. I use the bible for this too. So by reflecting and examining myself up against what the bible says is a good man, and by trying to understand the things that I've witnessed other men doing, I can discern what is good to do and what is good to not do. One I realize that, I can think about it more to develop a plan on how I can grow and develop to be more holy and manly. That is pretty broad though and I guess it would cover everything.
I can just get accomplish my goals in general.
By thinking about my goals and my abilities with purpose I can develop plans and systems to get things done. It sets up a base for my efforts kind of. Thinking is the first step to doing something anyway right?
I can learn how to improve my relationships with other people.
I can think about how other people behave around me. I can learn what people are like by closely examining the things they say to certain people in certain situations when they feel certain ways. When I know those things it allows me to be sensitive to that. Sensitive, that means I sense it, I am aware. So being aware of the reality of a person's habits and emotions and speech, that makes me more able to be a good friend to them. It basically helps me to get to know people better. The more I know about somebody and my relationship with them, the more I know what is best for them in terms of me. Like what I should do with them or say to them, that is important for me to know. Blah blah blah.

For me it is like a vital part of living. I think of a rat going through a maze. The more I think about it, the better I'm going to do in this maze. If I don't think at all, there is nothing keeping me from just walking back and forth on the same path forever. But if I do think critically, to the best of my ability, it would be like a rat that gains control over it's whole body, alters it's genetic code, grows wings and flies out of the lab to live in lush gardens of pure bliss and awesomeness. That is exactly what it's like.