Introspection is an important part of being human.
I have been writing over the last couple of days about my favourite things: on Tuesday it was songwriting; yesterday what my ideal life may look like. And this seems to have put me in a self-reflective mood, which has led me to ponder the importance of introspection.
One of Australia's most successful Prime Ministers, John Howard, notably stated that he didn't do introspection. I think he suggested at the time it was some kind of weakness of the left. As if contemplating the consequences of your actions was somehow political.
Needless to say, I didn't, and don't, have a lot of time for him as a politician, or a person.
And I couldn't disagree with him more.
There is real power in introspection - the power to change the course of our lives, and through that, the lives of others.
I like introspection because I like being nice. I like the fact that if I act in a way to someone else that I wouldn't want them to act, I pull myself up. I consider how I may have handled things differently. I apologise, if an apology is possible.
I try to be a better person. I try to be a good person. But I think that without introspection, I may think I am nice, that I am good, without really considering the repercussions, the hurt, my actions may cause on a daily basis.
A bit like John Howard.
Without introspection, I may actually be a hypocrite.
And yes. I may be a hypocrite despite my ongoing self reflection.
But I don't think so, and I try not to be.
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