"La plenitud no se logra cortando una parte del ser sino integrando los contrarios"

The heart of the quote is about embracing all parts of who we are — the good, the bad, and the in-between. It suggests that true completeness isn’t about denying or cutting away parts of ourselves we don’t like. Rather, it's about bringing together these conflicting parts, accepting them, and finding a way they can coexist in harmony.

To give you some context, this idea has roots in Carl Jung's theories on the psyche, especially his concept of the "shadow." Jung believed that everyone has a dark side, parts of ourselves we might be ashamed of or try to hide. But instead of ignoring these parts, Jung suggested that we need to recognize and integrate them to become whole.

Let’s bring it down to earth with a real-life example. Take someone who’s a workaholic, for instance. They might pride themselves on their dedication and productivity, but deep down, there’s a part of them craving relaxation and leisure. Instead of quitting their job or forcing themselves to work even harder in denial of their need for rest, they could find a balance. Maybe they start dedicating weekends to hobbies or vacations. By acknowledging their need for downtime, they’re not cutting off their hardworking nature; they’re integrating it with their need for rest. This blend makes them more fulfilled and less stressed.

Now, if you’re wondering how to apply this, think about areas in your life where you feel conflicted. Maybe you’ve got a part of you that’s super disciplined and another that just wants to go with the flow. Instead of letting these sides fight, see how they can work together. Perhaps you set up a routine that includes time for both structure and spontaneity.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s struggling with their identity. They might feel torn between being a responsible adult and wanting to live a carefree, youthful life. You might share that everyone has these internal conflicts. Tell them about integrating — it's not about choosing one side and ditching the other. It’s like making a smoothie. You don’t just toss out the banana because you already have strawberries; you blend them together and create something even better.

Think of a time when you felt pulled in different directions. Maybe in high school, you were both a star athlete and a top student, and there was pressure to choose one path. Instead of abandoning one for the other, finding a way to honor both sides (like managing your time efficiently and setting realistic goals for both sports and academics) could’ve brought a more satisfying balance to your life.

In short, embracing all parts of ourselves, even the contradictory ones, leads to a richer, more authentic life. It's not about perfection but about making peace with our complexities. So next time you catch yourself trying to cut off a part of who you are, pause. Think about how you can include it instead. You'll find that you’re more complete — more whole — when all your pieces are acknowledged and accepted.