Self-discovery vs Self-awareness

Today I realised there a difference between self-discovery and self-awareness.  Not that I really thought much about self-discovery in comparison to the latter, but I presumed that one is more or less the same.  

As a matter of fact, both self-discovery and self-awareness are related; although not the same. Self-discovery is more as of now, today, here and now; while self-awareness is forward looking, in as much as it is future oriented, not stuck with today. 

Self-discovery has much to do with facts and affects (feelings, emotions, moods); whereas, self-awareness helps one influence choices, relationship and a whole lot of stuff, when one moves beyond the facts and affects.  The latter leads to changes and is transformative; while the former is intellectual.  

Self-discovery answers the question: Why am I who I am? 

Self-awareness responds to: What am I now/later meant to be? 

Being vs Doing

Doing usually flows from our Being.  Character often dictates or heavily influences our actions.  Therefore a greater focus on being is never misplaced.  

Nonetheless, our actions too have a bearing on our character, our being.  Besides ratifying or expressing our character, they do have an effect on our character.  

In short, the relationship between being and doing is not necessarily a one-way traffic; it is perhaps more of a Indian market-scene where everyone is in the right direction!!!

Parent's impact on children

Last Friday I had the good fortune of being present with the family of Thomas Aquinas, even though the occasion was not a joyful one; it was the funeral of his Dad. 

Nonetheless what was evident and a joy for me to witness was the sincere appreciation of the man that Mr Rayappan (Aquinas' father) was. He was the first trained catechist of the Salem diocese. And right till the end he continued being so.  

Much more than just doing the work of a catechist, he truly appears to have influenced the lives of people and brought them closer to Christ.  The most solid evidence to this fact of his life is the life of his sons!  Of the three I know Aquinas well.  And I told him as I left the cemetery after the burial, "No surprise, your roots run deep and strong!" 

The one thing that kept ringing in my head all along the Mass, especially listening to what several people were sharing and talking, either from the pulpit or all around me, was the impact of parents on the lives of their children!  True indeed, from the fruits one knows the quality of the tree! 

Origins of the Salesian Congregation

When Don Bosco initiated the Salesian Congregation (SC), which eventually took on the name of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), his primary and perhaps the only goal was to ensure that the work for the poor boys is continued. But it certainly was more than a merely social enterprise. The well-being of the boys was for a higher purpose. 

The main aims of the newly founded society were the following: 

1. the glory of God
2. the salvation of souls, and 
3. the sanctification of its members

Of the three goals listed, none of them restrict limits itself to taking care of the boys.