epiphanies

[Naiad780]

How do you get an epiphany to stick?

I think this happens to everyone at some point.  Intellectually, you realize something but your emotions haven't got a grasp on it.

For instance, if you grew up being told that you're stupid, then you have a lot of negativity to deal with.  But then you go on to graduate with honors in college, or you learn a very difficult discipline, or you take the Mensa test and do wonderfully.  You know, logically speaking, that you must not be stupid because there's all this evidence to counter that assumption.  However, your emotions continue to tell you that you're dumb, and you still experience that pain.  If anyone asked you if you were smart or dumb, your immediate response would be "dumb" even if you corrected yourself and said, "No, I'm smart."

Know what I'm talking about?  How do we overcome that?  How can we make the emotion match up with the thought?

[Telos]

Get more epiphanies!

Get addicted! Be an epiphany junkie

They always feel like puzzle pieces to me. Large sections, for sure, but not quite complete. So if I can't build more on that section of the puzzle, I go to a different section. Eventually the pieces start fitting into place, and you get some solid working knowledge about yourself and the world around you.

Perhaps it's a bit more like connecting the dots... ah well, you know what mean.

[You]

Reflect on not only the accomplishment, but what made it.

Praise yourself privately as another might do if they would praise you.

Like hearing from another, you will hear from yourself, and experience realization of your accomplishment.