Inventory of Strata

Grand Canyon photo by Murray Foubister

          Geologic layers have preserved much of the Earth's history. Over time, sediments deposited in layers hardened into rock known as strata. Relative time can be determined by the location of each stratum; the oldest layers are on the bottom and the more recent on top. The type of sediment and the way it was deposited can reveal if a region was originally covered by water. Fossils can be used to trace the evolution of plants and animals, and in some cases, their extinction. 

          Like layers of strata, an honest inventory can let us look back at our own history to see how we got to the place we are now. What sort of things will we likely unearth?

• Patterns of behavior that at one time may have been helpful but now create problems and chaos.
• Examples of blame and justification for our actions but few instances of us taking responsibility for them.
• A list of people we have harmed by our behavior.
• Emotional hooks from past experiences that still influence us in the present.
• Selfish motives designed to get what we want without much regard for the well-being of others.

We may not be pleased with all we find beneath our surface. Yet awareness and acknowledgment will enable us to create another layer of soil - one in which to grow. Clarity about who we are will benefit us in developing a vision of who we want to become.

For more information on the topic of inventory, see this post.