Everyone has a shadow.
Shadows are those untamed emotions and behaviors that lie, largely unconscious, beneath the surface of our lives that constitute the damaged versions of who we are. They may be sinful; they may simply be weaknesses. Most importantly, they lie concealed just beneath the surface of our more proper selves.
You know it’s your shadow when:
- You are defensive when someone corrects you or points out your flaws.
- You are triggered by a person, or circumstance, saying things you often later regret.
- You act out inappropriately when under pressure.
- You dismiss others when they bring up a difficult issue about you and your behavior.
- You keep doing the same thing over and over despite the negative consequences.
- You are angry, jealous, and envious – a lot.
- You do and say things out of fear of what other people think.
- You become busier when you are anxious rather than more reflective.
- You are a driving perfectionist.
- You have contempt for someone you formerly admired.
