Relationship and Self-Awareness

Right Relationship doesn’t begin with the relationship, or even with the other person with whom we want to have that relationship; it begins with us.  Are we awake to where we are and what is going on around us? Are we aware of our attitudes and feelings, and the deeper values, hopes and fears that give rise to them?  The foundational skill for developing and maintaining right relationship is self-awareness.  Self-awareness in basic terms means being in the moment to what we’re feeling and what’s important to us.

From Practicing Right Relationship by Dan Smith and Mary K. Sellon

I believe that the better I know myself the better I can be in relationship with others.  Does this seem counter-intuitive?  The more that I can be nonjudgmental with myself, know and accept my imperfections, the more I can accept others imperfections.  I need to start with my attitudes and prejudices and the lens that I view the world.  I can then better see what is going on around me.  The more self-aware I can be, the more I can fully be me and therefore be fully in relationship.