To thine own self be true

This is one of those old sayings you just don't hear any more, and that's too bad. If more of us were true to our own selves there would probably be less of us depressed, addicted or suicidal. The key word here is "self" in the Jungian sense of the word. This requires that people be in touch with their whole psyche. It doesn't eliminate the psychologist, just the meds. A psychologist or spiritual mentor is probably a necessity in this day and age to discover all that you are, never mind all that you can be. No man is an island (we'll save that for another day). Who he is is part culture, upbringing, genetic and who knows what else. When I grew up I spent time with my maternal grandfather and when people say I have a sense of humor I can say I got it from my mother's side of the family. Today, few people can say they knew a grandparent well enough to see them in themselves and yet our ancestors pass down traits, skills and values that are part of our self. Before we dismiss a sense of what is right or wrong offhandedly, we should pause and wonder. Is that sense part of my self?