who we are
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Only when we develop our truly human capacities sufficiently to achieve this human excellent will we have lives blessed with happiness.
Aristotle
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ELIZABETH GLAROS
Founder & Creator
Sophia’s Best is the accumulation of 35 years of experience in Qualitative research and Discourse Analysis as one of the founders and Managing Partners of TheWorkShop, a business development company. I am a cognitive psychologist and semiotician with an MSc in Applied Psychology. I have always focused on the human element, exploring the significance of thought in defining our reality, determining choices, setting a path for action, and their inevitable results.
Throughout my years of conducting research, I have enjoyed engaging in constructive discussions with diverse people from all walks of life. One recurring theme that has emerged from these discussions is that despite our progress, significant human-level challenges persist. Many of us feel misunderstood, and even though we can express ourselves, we find little room for authentic self-expression. We are often fearful when we think about the future, and despite our material comforts, many of us feel disconnected, isolated, and without a clear purpose.
Maybe in our effort to have more of life, we forgot how we can make it better; we lost sight of the difference between economic (material) development and personal growth, between the objects we use and the purpose for using them, between the words and symbols we adopt to create an image of ourselves and our authentic sense of being. Unfortunately, we don’t take enough time to explore the make-up of our reality. We search for quick results overlooking the processes that bring them about. We may be clear about what we want but less about why, making fulfilment challenging.
While modern thinkers focus more on defining what constitutes a meaningful existence, classical thinkers, notably Aristotle, focus on how we can actualise a life of value. They provide the method through which we can evaluate our thoughts and, therefore, our choices and actions in achieving fulfilling results. There are no prescribed moulds or preconceived endpoints; one’s true self is the sole compass. However, finding your true self is an ongoing process of self-growth guided by a cultivated mind.
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Be a free thinker and don’t accept everything you hear as truth. Be critical and evaluate what you believe in.
Aristotle
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I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW OUR Ability to Interpret & Create Meaning FOR OURSELVES & OTHERS CAN Profoundly Impact Real Life.
It’s incredibly empowering when we use it constructively based on our true sense of self. However, those who accept meanings created by others without true consideration may find it harder to grow personally as they fail to recognise their true potential.
We better our lives and reality by evaluating the ingredients that make it up. A sharper way of thinking results in better evaluations, more meaningful choices, and, therefore, more purposeful actions. We become better at owning our life by becoming wiser, and we become wiser when we sharpen our reasoning and reflect, examine, question, and define the meaning and value of things. Aristotle reminds us that we have the inherent human potential to create a life of meaning and value if we choose to pursue it with a clear and energetic mind.
Once we peel back that material film, we discover a world of substance filled with meaningful moments, truthful relationships, purposeful actions, and valuable experiences. Beyond the physical tools at our disposal, we humans possess the unique ability to think and bring all the potentialities of our reality to fruition.
So, let us not take things for granted. Let us rediscover the true meaning of things and, if need be, redefine those things that are significant to our personal growth. Sharpen your way of thinking to gain personal wisdom (Sophia—“σοφία”) and bring out the Best in you.
We are here to do this together. This is our purpose.
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True happiness comes from gaining insight and growing into your best possible self.
Aristotle
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It has taken five years to develop Sophia’s Best, and it hasn’t been easy, but it has been a great experience. Dear colleagues and friends have contributed a great deal to untangling my thoughts and testing ideas. My daughters have become my partners as young professionals and thinkers, challenging and assisting the expression of our philosophy.
I am also particularly grateful to the people I have discovered whilst travelling throughout Greece. They showed me what it means to cultivate a life between the pillars of our human paradox that enable us to move forward and empower us in creating a life of meaning and value. How to laugh in dealing with grief, feel fear in being bold, and find meaning in the seemingly simple. How to argue only to find relief, show humility to find strength, see the brightness in the darkness of a cloudy day, and connect with others to find our true selves.
I want to share this philosophy of self-empowerment. Showing tolerance in accepting our imperfections, maturity in embracing our weaknesses, pride in acknowledging our strengths, and most importantly, sheer joy and delicious empowerment in teaching us how to be human.
