Who Are You?
It is so common and almost natural for us to both define ourselves and others by our occupations. IT guy, mailman, construction worker...
We get it so wrong though. Those things are not what we are, they are what we do. We are getting it backwards.
For me, I am an aspiring Christian, a husband, a dad and a friend. I do some occupational things to provide for my family, but those things do not define me.
If you are defining yourself by occupation or career, as so many people I meet are, that makes for a shallow existence. Defining yourself by more important things is a more fulfilling position. You should define yourself as a parent, a friend, a leader, a helper and etc... There is so much more depth and meaning in those things.
The even deeper picture of who you are can be found in the areas of life not often or sometimes ever visible to others.
- The thoughts you dwell on and entertain are a picture of who you really are.
- How you act and behave when nobody can see/hear you is a good picture of who you are.
- How you act when you are in a place of power shows who you are.
- How you respond when things go bad or wrong are a good sample of who you are.
If you can focus and work on these last few items and not worry about "the visible you", you will not have to worry about "the visible you". Worry about the inner person, work on the inner person, fix the inner person and the visible you will follow suit.
We can be so image conscience that we neglect the more important issues inside of ourselves.
We get it so wrong though. Those things are not what we are, they are what we do. We are getting it backwards.
For me, I am an aspiring Christian, a husband, a dad and a friend. I do some occupational things to provide for my family, but those things do not define me.
If you are defining yourself by occupation or career, as so many people I meet are, that makes for a shallow existence. Defining yourself by more important things is a more fulfilling position. You should define yourself as a parent, a friend, a leader, a helper and etc... There is so much more depth and meaning in those things.
The even deeper picture of who you are can be found in the areas of life not often or sometimes ever visible to others.
- The thoughts you dwell on and entertain are a picture of who you really are.
- How you act and behave when nobody can see/hear you is a good picture of who you are.
- How you act when you are in a place of power shows who you are.
- How you respond when things go bad or wrong are a good sample of who you are.
If you can focus and work on these last few items and not worry about "the visible you", you will not have to worry about "the visible you". Worry about the inner person, work on the inner person, fix the inner person and the visible you will follow suit.
We can be so image conscience that we neglect the more important issues inside of ourselves.
I'm Nic Norris, and I approve this message.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. So very true. Who we are when no one is looking, when there is no reward, when placed in a position of power; truly shows who we are...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post...
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ReplyDeleteOne way to distill what is really important is to imagine what one might want said (truthfully) at the funeral...or what might be placed on a tombstone.
ReplyDelete