The Onion

The Onion

I bet you didn’t know that you are an onion.  You consist of layers and layers of conditioning that you have picked up since the day you were born.  By conditioning I am referring to the acceptance of other people’s viewpoints and opinions as your own.   These viewpoints come primarily from parents, close family relatives and friends.  However, we can also be conditioned by media in any shape or form.  These conditions shape our reality and it is what we believe to be true.  For example, we may have a parent who is a strong supporter of a political party, either Democrat or Republican.  As a child, we listened to that parent talk about political issues and, as a consequence, we identify ourselves with that party.  This is how we are conditioned to “think” like our parents.  This is especially true in the case of religion.  We are almost always identify ourselves with the religion that we grew up with.   There is no reason to listen to our instincts because it has been decided for us by our parents.   This is why we are all onions.

To discover our essence or our true self, we need to peel away the layers of conditioning that we have accumulated since childhood.  You may be wondering why we need to peel away anything.  Why not stay an onion.  If we stay an onion, our center or core is concealed.  Our true essence cannot shine from within.  In order to become our higher self, we must break through the conditioning and decide for ourselves who we are to become.

It's  messy job, but we must do it!

 It is an ongoing process to remove the layers of conditioning which involves opening our eyes to behaviors that we picked up when we were a child.  Take a good look at your parents.  Are there certain behaviors you “learned” from them and have become a part of you?  We mirror those that are the closest to us.  Here is an exercise you can do.  Look at one of your parents and write down something that bothers you about them.  For instance; my mother is always critical of me (something I often hear from my clients.)  Now write down what you would want them to be like.  For example, I would want my mother to be kinder to me and appreciate me the way I am.  Now look at your behavior.  Are you kind to those around you?  Do you appreciate people or take them for granted? Are you critical of yourself?  Do you put limitations on yourself?   Remember, life provides a mirror.  Can you see it?

This is how we peel an onion.  One layer at a time.   When we peel an onion, we most certainly will cry.  It can be painful at times, but it is a process in self-discovery and growth.  The more layers you peel away, the more you will become your most authentic self and the happier you will become.  After all, happiness comes from within.

At the center, you will shine!

 

Christine Segal offers workshops or telephone coaching. Please email Christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for details.