There is a saying that what we were when we were born, is God’s gift to us. What we become, is our gift to God. Yet, to become a better person is not easy. We have to know our shortcomings, mistakes, biases fears, prejudices, and what trigger us. How do we get to know these?

The theory of the Johari window, which helps people understand themselves and others, reminds us:

• First, there are things we know about ourselves that other people know too
• Second, there are things we do not know about ourselves that other people do not know either (only God)
• Third, there are things we know about ourselves that other people do not know
• Fourth, there are things people know about us that we do not know ourselves

Hence, consider it a great blessing if people give us fraternal correction. This is the message of the Gospel.

Three things to make us more open to fraternal corrections:

1. Accept that we need to be a better person. This is done not by putting other people down but by accepting the feedback of other people and working on them.
2. Accept that it takes a lot of risk to give fraternal correction. It is not easy to give fraternal correction and it is not easy to receive fraternal correction. Yet, let us accept people’s efforts and their taking a risk.
3. Accept that we do not like to hurt people. This can only happen when we know ourselves better. 

There is a saying that the greatest battles are fought within. The battle is won when we know our strengths and the things we need to improve on.