The mirror tells you exactly what you are. Yes that's exactly what the mirror is made to do. But what if you look into the mirror and discovered a different being either than what you are. What will be the next action?
The issue of self-realization is very important part of man. But despite it's importance, it has received little or no attention. Men have often been taught to conform to the image of others, atrive to become a likeness of someone else and almost totally discard who they are. The gravity of the situation can be appreciated more when you consider the fact that a machine can not be operated effectively unless it is well understood. What ever the capacity of that machine is, untill the operator understand it, he will be unable to harness it's benefit. It is an effort in fitility to handle a piece of equipment just the way another of a different nature is handled. Every piece of equipment is unique( especially those with different manufacturer and operating system). So to effectively operate any equipment, one must properly understand its uniqueness. Such is the case with men generally.
Uniqueness is their stock in trade. Similarly, machine are routinely checked to ascertain their level of effectiveness in the comparison to their potential, if any fault is noticed, it is fixed appropriately, or the machine will not function properly. Man is the most important force ( machinery) for transformation. He has provided multiple invention to ease his task. While he takes steps to understand his machine he rarely pay attention to understanding the most essential components - HIMSELF. When we consider one of the first records public outings of Jesus in the bible. please permit me to use this as an example, we discovered a very key traits which is necessary for the ideal man today. At the age of twelve when he arrived the temple he already knew exactly what his purpose was. He Made it clear when he asked his parents " did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"
A man has to know who he is and what he ought to know and what he must be doing, who he is not what it is he cannot do. He is not oushed around by everything that appears interesting. He recognizes the uniqueness of every circumstances and applies his genius in effectively handeling them. Self realization is a routine activities and the following questions have been drafted to help in the realization process.
Who am I?
A man is suppose to be aware of his origin and familiar in his ancestry. This could be beneficial to the extent that he will be able to avert trans generational mistakes and anomalies like alcoholism and adultery among others. Of for any reason, there is a condition passed through the genes, capable of disrupting the plan of man, through this probe, he will be able to identify and tackle them squarely.
What am I?
This is an enquiry into a man's qualifications and achievements. Through this probes, the man would display before himself, those qualifications and experience he has gathered. This places the man on the honor he has received. This places the man on the footings to objectively identify what it is he has achieved through the course of his life time and then what thing he could venture into.
Where am I?
The next step in his realization of self has to do with location. Not in terms of physical location, but location base on measurements of progress. This is essential trying to identify the progess a man has made in comparison with what he can do with his God-given abilities.
When all this question are out in place then one will be able to realize His effectiveness and His ability and it will help him walk in the direction that will help enhance His productivity.