The brightest flames cast the darkest shadows. Likewise, beneath one's greatest strengths, lie their biggest flaws. Yet, aren't flaws but one's potential waiting to be harnessed? It is simply a matter of perspective. Deep within, the Guardian archetype has shadows that involve Logical Accuracy and Abstract Possibilities. When the shadows are embraced, Guardians become their truest selves, reaching infinite heights. If neglected however, their greatest downfall awaits.

Everyone carries a shadow,
and the less it is embodied in the
individual’s conscious life, the blacker
and denser it is. At all counts, it forms
an unconscious snag, thwarting our
most well-meant intentions.

Carl Gustav Jung

The concept of shadows is rooted in the theories of Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist who believed that the human psyche has an unconscious side that embodies perceived negative qualities we disassociate ourselves from. Yet, most are unaware of the shadows lurking in the abyss of their subconscious minds.

People prefer to rely on their instincts—one's natural traits—in dealing with the daily challenges of life. More often than not, when things aren't working out, people will cling to the traits they are familiar with, not realizing that their shadows could be the key to solving their problems. Before long, they will face a reckoning: the ultimate consequence of neglecting their shadows within.

When we acknowledge and integrate our inner shadows into our consciousness, we open ourselves up to fully embracing all aspects of who we are. By accepting and learning from our imperfections, we embark on a meaningful journey of self-discovery, unlocking our true potential. Ultimately, the process of embracing our shadows can lead to greater inner peace and tremendous personal growth.

This section will shed light on the blind spots of the Guardian, illustrating how they will be affected by their shadows. Guardians will learn about the events leading up to their reckoning, how they might react, and how they can overcome it. More importantly, it gives Guardians a new perspective on life through the lens of their shadows, changing the way they approach life forever.

The Unsuspecting Path To Darkness

Guardians are among the archetypes that desire a sense of belonging within a harmonious community. Nothing fulfills them more than to see everyone in solidarity. By and large, Guardians are defined by the people around them, fostered by the hopes and expectations of their friends and family. That makes them terribly afraid of seeing their communities break apart because if it does, they would feel adrift and alone as if they have lost a vital part of themselves.

It is the brightest of lights that
casts the darkest of shadows.

To support their communities, Guardians ensure that everyone plays their part well. Sadly, not all will cooperate. Feeling impatient, some Guardians may resort to emotional manipulation while the assertive ones might mock those who choose to be different. Unknowingly, they become overbearing or even toxic to those around them, poisoning all of their relationships. In the end, their efforts to unite everyone will eventually take a toll on people, driving others further away from them.

Besides, Guardians can't possibly hope to please everyone in such a diverse world. Yet, in a desperate attempt to do so, they might tailor their opinions to suit the crowd they are with in order to win approval. Some Guardians will even blindly agree with whomever, just to be accepted by everyone. However, people will eventually realize this and feel repulsed by them. Such Guardians will only be seen as people-pleasers, opportunists, or even backstabbers.

The truth is, Guardians are fueled by people's acknowledgment and appreciation. Over time, they will eventually burn out, leaving them with nowhere else to turn to but within. In that dark and unfamiliar place, a realization dawns: the validation that matters most is their own. However, because Guardians seldom care for themselves, their rookie attempt at self-love often brings them to the other extreme, making them awfully immature and selfish.

In that state, Guardians act out of character, doing whatever they want without a care in the world. Blinded by negativity, they may cherry pick reasons to justify their nasty behavior. Other times, they may even use skewed logic to prove how they have been wronged by their communities. Fortunately, most Guardians do not dwell here for too long. They bounce back quickly and will soon revert to their old selfless ways; and the cycle continues.

An eclipse hides the light of the sun, briefly, just like the shadow that eclipses the true nature of a person.

This phenomenon is a manifestation of the Guardian's darkest shadow—the difficulty to think logically for themselves. Their constant chase for validation hinders them from thinking deeply. People might harshly berate them, calling them stupid or brainless, but these criticisms cut deep only because they are grounded in some truth. As bad as it sounds, this shadow is not a weakness, let alone a curse. It is but an untapped strength that lies dormant, ready to be awakened.

To unleash its potential, this shadow must be embraced with open arms. But it will not be easy. Naturally, Guardians will avoid thinking deeply and logically at all costs because it is their most vulnerable aspect. They may believe that life can continue smoothly without requiring provable, consistent, and accurate reasoning for all their thoughts and action. However, this mindset only leads them further astray. Knowing this, if Guardians continue to neglect it, they will be stuck in a cycle of ignorance forever.

Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think
you are supposed to be.

Shonda Rhimes

To break free and thrive, Guardians must do away with excuses and face their fear head-on. Instead of mindlessly agreeing to people's every demand, Guardians must do things for solid reasons that make sense to them. By grounding their decisions in logic, they become more consistent as a person instead of a pushover. Slowly but surely, Guardians will no longer be a mess of contradictions, as their thoughts, words, and deeds become more congruent.

As such, Guardians who have reached a higher stage of growth will find themselves empowered by this shadow. They engage more in analytical thinking, attempting to grasp the logic behind things. They even formulate their own personal truths, understanding that practice will lead to improvement over time. Eventually, they will have a solid set of principles that guide them through every little facet of life. With this shadow mastered, Guardians will attain true solidarity with others, as integrity is the foundation of solid relationships.

When Darkness Meets Light

Not all shadows are dark and intimidating. Among them lies one that serves as a source of inspiration. Nonetheless, it is also an illusion as it lures Guardians into the false impression that they are good at it. That being said, this illusion is no stranger to them, making it easier to connect with. More importantly, grasping it will bring them one step forward in their journey of growth. Evoking a sense of awe and wonder, its presence will never fail to fascinate Guardians.

As mentioned previously, Guardians yearn for a sense of stability—far from chaos—by keeping their lives well organized. As such, they are often annoyed by those who are all over the place, going through life without a plan. To keep chaos at bay, Guardians stick to what's safe so that nothing can possibly throw them off guard. Because of that, Guardians remain the rock of their communities; the pillar that everyone can depend on no matter what.

Life happens. Adapt. Embrace change,
and make the most of everything
that comes your way.

Nick Jonas

Unfortunately, Guardians who only seek the familiar will tend to shy away from the world of possibilities. Some live by a set of rigid structures, often avoiding the new in favor of what's familiar. Luckily, most Guardians are aware of this weakness early on and would try their best to keep an open mind. Every so often, they might consider different ideas and perspectives, or even try out something completely new. Doing so fills them with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

However, Guardians cannot change the fact that this isn't something they normally do. Yet, clouded by this illusion, they may hold on to the naive belief that they are naturals at it. Trapped in this delusion, Guardians may view themselves as among the most open-minded people, even when they are not. Perhaps when Guardians can accept the most bizarre and unconventional things without a hint of repulse, they may then claim to be the opposite of who they truly are.

Instead of dwelling in this fantasy, Guardians should snap out of it, and accept that this is not their key strength. If this is a hard pill to swallow, then all they have to do is open their eyes to look at those who are highly intrigued by every concept in the world. Guardians will quickly realize that relative to others, their openness is often limited by their own little comfort zone. Hopefully, this truth will humble them and show them that they have so much more to learn.

All in all, Guardians are deeply inspired by those who are open to the endless possibilities in life. Although they might find them annoying at times, Guardians secretly admire people who are creative and full of ideas, wishing they had those traits themselves. The good news is, Guardians who see through this illusion will start exploring unfamiliar territories to expand their minds. In time, Guardians will tap into their creative flow, unlocking a whole new world of possibilities.

Embracing Your Shadows

The Guardian's shadows may appear menacing at first, but now that they are brought to light, there is no reason to fear them. Despite that, one cannot afford to be complacent. Whatever happens, Guardians must keep a close eye on their shadows as they can drastically shape a person’s destiny. By developing their shadows, Guardians will undergo exponential growth, raising themselves up to greater heights.

While the saying “focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses” may be true in certain contexts, it actually leads to a painful divide within us in most cases. By concentrating on our strengths, we tend to suppress our shadows deeper and deeper, neglecting them by overplaying our strengths. And when our shadows are left in the dark, they will quietly fester, bringing about a dreadful reckoning sooner or later.

Unexpressed emotions will never die.
They are buried alive and will come
forth later in uglier ways.

Sigmund Freud

With a newfound understanding, Guardians will learn to embrace their shadows within. Rather than shutting them off, healthy Guardians will approach their shadows with curiosity and calmness, seeking to uncover the underlying reasons behind their unexpected presence. After all, our shadows are not bad parts that are trying to sabotage our lives. As “awful” as they may seem, they can actually help us cope better, especially in areas that we deem most stressful.

Nevertheless, the shadow's attempt at being the hero often fails miserably, causing Guardians more pain and problems in life. Whenever these shadows resurface, they often wreak havoc, as they have been neglected for far too long. Instead of rejecting these parts of themselves, Guardians should learn to make space for them in their hearts. Only by accepting their shadows can Guardians unite all parts of themselves to become a healthy whole.

Knowing the path forward, it is now up to Guardians to transform for better or worse. Of course the journey ahead will be difficult, with countless obstacles to triumph. However, those hurdles come part and parcel with growth. The path chosen is not going to be easy; but it will most definitely be worth it.

Working with our shadows can provide a transformative and enlightening experience, enabling us to live more authentically, compassionately, and meaningfully. Hopefully, everyone will find the courage to push forward, face their fears, and embrace their shadows as they embark on this never-ending journey of personal growth.

Now that you have understood a large part of what it means to be Guardians, you might be wondering what the best steps are for one to become better. And that's what the next section is all about: ten concrete actions that can be easily taken to effectively accelerate the Guardian's personal growth!

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Personal Growth [Guardian]