Swiss Army Knife

The mystery of synchronicity …

Psychiatrist Carl Jung coined the word synchronicity to describe events of meaningful coincidence with no apparent causal relationship.

When I was traveling through Europe in 1981, I lost my Swiss Army Knife.

Fast forward to 2015: One morning, I opened the door to my studio, and there on the ground, I find the same model Swiss Army Knife that I had lost all those years ago. The knife had seen much bad road.

I asked around, including the UPS and FedEx drivers if they lost such a knife. No lost knife from them.

I can’t explain how or why this knife ‘returned’ to me any better than Jung’s concept of synchronicity.

From my Ten Tips for Building Self-Confidence

Copyright © 2011 by Eden Maxwell

TIP SIX: SELF-RELIANT—NO EXCUSES

When confronted by adversity, you are reminded that the problem is the teacher, which is this: you are resourceful, and can do what is necessary yourself.

As a leader, you find a way, not an excuse, a response that separates doers from wannabes. You are sure because being unsure inspires no one. Your sense of mission also motivates others.

Self-confident people avoid parroting clichés, and have a sense of humor, especially at their own expense.

From my Ten Tips for Building Self-Confidence

TIP FIVE: RULES FOR AWARENESS 5

Awareness is intuitive perception that allows you to see things uncluttered by illusion or preconceived notions. Acts of awareness promote confidence and self-preservation. While your attention is on reading a book, awareness informs you that your house is on fire.

Awareness demands discernment between what is pertinent from what is irrelevant. If you can’t, then you have lost single-mindedness of purpose—making self-confidence immaterial.

To engage awareness, master the first rule: don’t believe your own bull.

The second rule is that no ‘thing’ is obvious; and the third is that no ‘thing’ goes without saying.

From my Ten Tips for Building Self-Confidence

TIP FOUR: SELF-DISCIPLINE—STEPPING UP

Reading advice in a book about a diet for improving your health only works when reinforced with self-discipline, which, in turn, progressively develops into self-confidence.

Step up, move with purpose, as you confront each challenge—from facing a blank canvas to approaching a gallery. People who act bravely despite their fears set the agenda for what matters.

There is an overarching proviso: if you don’t have faith in your abilities, then it’s time to reevaluate your mission. Lacking confidence is one thing; self-deception is much worse.

From my Ten Tips for Building Self-Confidence

TIP TREE: MIRROR OF TRUTH

Attempting to ignite a flicker of self-esteem by repeating aphorisms is akin to thinking about walking while walking—you soon become self-conscious and fall out of step. Gaze into the mirror of truth.

Do you trust your emotional intelligence, are you open to new concepts and risks, and are you undeterred by setbacks?

If you’re secretly riddled with self-doubt, acknowledge it by losing the bravado—knowing that fulfilling your dharma will one day indelibly infuse self-confidence into your psyche.