Intangible assets!
I have only written three posts so far, and I am already experiencing what they call “writer’s block”. In truth, the so-called writer’s block was self-imposed, and no one but me can be blamed for it. Let me explain why. As soon as, I discovered my new obsession with blogging, my mind was flooded with ideas, information, and thoughts that I wanted to share. Initially, this felt great, until my brain became overwhelmed & overstimulated causing not only constant headaches but also many sleepless nights. "Don't push me," my brain said, and I replied, "Okay, buddy, we'll take it easy." As a result, I had to stop the flow of the words (sounds dramatic but it’s true).
It is funny how every situation in my life is always teaching me two important lessons:
Boundaries— Boundaries with self are equally important as with others. I had to do what was best for me even if that meant closing off my thoughts for my good.
Self-trust— I had to learn to trust that my thoughts, ideas, and words are not going to abandon me. They are arising from within me and will always be there when I need them.
I used to get frustrated when I was repeatedly shown what I needed to address in terms of my habitual/unconscious thinking patterns. Because naturally, who would want to look at their limitations and work on them? Not anymore, though. On my best days, I handle it like a pro. On my not-so-best days, I turn my back on it and go to sleep. I feel it is only frustrating because we have been taught to see growth as something linear and predictable. We often see growth as something like this: be born, grow up, go to school, college, job, house, relationship, kids, grow old, and finally, death.
That is exactly what we expect when it comes to our personal (or say spiritual) growth.
However, personal growth is neither linear nor predictable; it is more of a spiral. You keep coming back to learn the same things repeatedly; sometimes for years and sometimes for a short period. Eventually, this leads to an expansion in your thought process and you begin to look at things from a broader perspective.
While I was pursuing my Ph.D., it was mandatory to attend a lot of conferences as a part of my professional growth. In one such conference, a speaker talked about the tangible and intangible assets of companies and their importance in the valuation of a company. I find that concept extremely relevant when it comes to determining the value of a person as well.
As a person, your tangible assets would be your degree, career, house, etc. While your intangible assets would be your thoughts & beliefs, the strength of your character, the measure of your integrity, your ability to express/regulate your emotions, and your ability to show empathy, kindness, and compassion. The list is endless. These are the assets that require dedicated and conscious efforts to develop. You don't just wake up one day with them. You learn them over time through lots of trials and errors; and of course, through introspection (my favorite word). These are just as valuable as your tangible assets.
Learning to balance your tangible and intangible assets would be a sign of a well-adjusted human, I suppose.
On a personal front, I believe that being complimented for your beauty, career, money, etc., is nice enough. However, to be admired for your thoughts, insights, and the way you think is something else altogether. I have learned that only a handful of people see you for who you are. Most admire surface-level things and move on quickly. Only a few linger behind and make an effort to see and understand the real you.
Quote of the day:
“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”
— Niccolò Machiavelli
That’s it for today.
I am happy to be here. And, happy to see you here.
Talk soon.
Priya.
Great post! Absolutely right on the money. I loved this: ‘However, personal growth is neither linear nor predictable; it is more of a spiral. You keep coming back to learn the same things repeatedly; sometimes for years and sometimes for a short period. Eventually, this leads to an expansion in your thought process and you begin to look at things from a broader perspective.’ Yes. Precisely. We’re taught to think that having possessions, wealth, prestige are crucial. In reality it’s the deeper sense of self, the mysterious You which matters. I think social media has really screwed us. It creates the false perception that everyone is living extraordinary lives every second of every day. In truth most of our lives consist of the gritty, boring details of the day to day realities of existence. Like you wrote we often learn slowly, repetitively, over years and years, frequently through painful experiences. But this is ok. We’re human! Flawed, complex, contradictory, etc.