True Names

I'm about to make a really cheesy comparison of my life to an even cheesier fantasy series, so if cheesy comparisons aren't your thing, skip this post and move on happily with your life.

I just finished the Eragon series, one I started when I was younger and grew up loving.  The last book came out recently and of course I read it, but it didn't hold quite the same magic for me that it did when I was younger.  Disappointing, but such is growing up I guess.  Here's where the cheesy comparison comes in.  In the book, the main character, Eragon, must discover his "true name," a name that encompasses not only his characteristics and strengths, but also his weaknesses.  In order to figure out his true name, he must come to terms with all virtues and his vices.  He must see the entirety of his being for what it is, no rose colored glasses.  This includes acknowledging his flaws and the part they've played in shaping him into who he is.  I've been thinking a lot about that since finishing the book, about whether it's ever truly possibly for us to see ourselves in an unbiased manner, without our preconceived notions of ourselves, both positive and negative.  I think in part that is what this blog and my life in general right now is about for me, figuring out who I am and getting rid of the ideas of myself that I've been holding onto for so long.  I wish so badly I could see myself plainly for who I really am, deep down at the core.  I feel like if anything, I focus too much on my weaknesses, especially weaknesses of the past.  Doubtless I have my fair share of flaws, but I think I need to work on focusing less on the flaws and more on how they've made me into who I am today.  I need to try to see the big picture.