“Just
Who do you think you are, anyway?” This may be a phrase you have heard hurled
at you in anger or one that you have hurled at someone else. Putting the anger
aside, it’s a great question. Who are you? Who do you think you are?
We
generally identify ourselves according to what we do.
Women
in particular define themselves as a mother or a wife. When the children fly
the coop or for some other reason are no longer home some women lose all sense
of identity. They have the “empty nest syndrome.” and some go into deep
depression. Their entire identity was centered on a child. Or if their husband
dies or divorces them they are left stunned and without identity.
Men
identify with their job. In answer to the question, “Who are you?” they
respond: I’m a banker, a mechanic, a policeman, an attorney, a web
developer, a bail bondsman, a carpenter, a home builder, etc. When they retire
or lose their job or their business some have no idea who they are anymore.
Some of
us identify with our country of origin” I’m an American or a Brit, or a Canadian,
or a German. Some are African-Americans, Mexican-Americans or another
hyphenated American.
What if
you were stripped of ALL titles – all job, ethnic, geographical, political,
religious, gender specific or other labels stripped off? Sitting naked in the
middle of an empty room, who would you be?
Who am
I? Does it change or does just my understanding of it change? John Lennon
said, “Part of me suspects that I’m a loser, and the other
part of me thinks I’m God Almighty.” John Lennon Do we all have identity swings like
that? Which is closest to reality?
Where
do I start in learning who I am? Do I read book about self image/self concept?
Do I seek counseling and/or guidance?Do I ask my friends what they see in me
and know about me? Do I ask my parents?
Perhaps.
But the
most true and realistic thoughts about yourself and who you are will come from
you – you are the only one who has access to the wealth of information about
you.
My
recommendation?
Sit
quietly in meditation with the question “Who am I?” Ask it repeatedly and relax
with it. If you are not a meditator then simply do this. Sit in a comfortable
chair in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Take several deep
breaths making the exhalation a few seconds longer than the inhalation. Relax.
Let your thoughts dwell on something soothing and relaxing for a few moments.
and then ask yourself the question, “Who am I.” Sit quietly for 5 – 10
minutes in expectation of an answer. Do this on a regular daily basis until you
begin to get some information. The information may not come during the time of
your sitting quietly. It may flit through your mind when you least expect it –
while you’re at work, at a ballgame, watching TV, etc. Something you see, on a
billboard, for example, might trigger an inner response. Something you see on
TV, even in a commercial, might give you an “Aha” moment.
By the inquiry ‘Who am I?’. The thought ‘who am I?’ will
destroy all other thoughts, and like the stick used for stirring the burning
pyre, it will itself in the end get destroyed. Then, there will arise
Self-realization. Sri Ramana Maharshi
My own
personal “Aha” came when I realized I was not just a human machine but a
“spiritual being having a physical experience.” This identity has shifted and
grown as my own self awareness and awareness of the Universe has expanded. For
me the concept of being a spiritual being key and began to put everything else
in perspective.
Your
great adventure will be to find you own key that unlocks the secret of who you
truly are. Be patient. Give it time. It will be one of the richest and valuable
adventures you can take.
ARTICLE SOURCE: http://theselfimprovementblog.com/self-improvement/self-esteem/just-who-do-you-think-you-are-anyway/
