“When we know our own strength, we shall the better know what to undertake with hopes of success; and when we have well surveyed the powers of our own minds, and made some estimate what we may expect from them, we shall not be inclined either to sit still, and not set our thoughts on work at all, in despair of knowing anything; nor on the other side, question everything, and declaim all knowledge, because some things are not to be understood.” – John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Taking time to take stock of our strengths (and weaknesses) is absolutely critical, and doing so with an objective mirror even more valuable. Learning where to open lines of inquiry in life, and also where enough work has been done.
I am more capable of taking risks today for I not only know my mind and heart, but I have survived both through their deepest states of trauma. I know what to turn away from my life, and what to turn towards, and what to let lay as it is asking of and for nothing more than for it to be.