Costs and Benefits of Awareness

Costs and Benefits of Awareness I’m standing half-nude in front of a full-length mirror, pinching and poking at my midsection. I’ve been on a dietary cleanse for the past two weeks: primarily raw foods, no alcohol, no caffeine, no processed foods, no animal products. Plus, I’ve been hitting the gym each morning with Shawn for a rigorous workout. Both have been significant improvements to my daily routine: I’m healthier now than a month agoâ€"less body fat, more muscle, better sleep. And most importantâ€"I feel great (after all, how we feel is the best barometer of quality of health). So why am I more  frustrated with the image staring back at me in the mirror? Whenever we make radical changesâ€"diet, exercise, career, etc.â€"we shine a spotlight on our flaws, and our blemishes become more glaring in the light: this is the cost of awareness. Our standards change whenever we are infused with a new awareness, and we scrutinize ourselves more: the more we scrutinize, the more the spotlight brightens, the more our imperfections stand out. Awareness isn’t always pleasant, but becoming aware is critical: the benefits, especially long-term, aren’t realized until we recognize our flaws for what they areâ€"past weaknesses. Only then can we strengthen ourselves; only then can we craft the best version of ourselves. True awareness allows us to improve, to growâ€"to become better, but not perfect. Our lives will never be perfectâ€"we’ve all been cut deeply, and we’ll continue to be cut deeplyâ€"but we’ll be okay: awareness will always help us heal, and our scars become the best parts of us. Read this essay and 150 others in our new book, Essential.