Who we are. We are often identified by others, and ourselves, by our occupations. That is wrong, that is what we do. What we are is a different thing altogether.It is the manner in which we conduct our actions that make us who we are. Identifying results is the harder of the two. Some do their jobs because it is what is expected. Others enjoy their occupation and take pride from that, adopting that occupation as their identity. I believe the majority of us are somewhere in between.
I believe that to be the case because who we are changes and evolves over time and circumstance. We are defined by our actions. The unfortunate truth in that lies in the fact that others are doing the defining. We do not get to define ourselves. If we could do that there would be need for heroes ! If we could simply define ourselves to what would we aspire ? And isn't it our aspirations that truly define us ? It is those aspirations that lie at the core. Who we wish to be. That is the question we are asked as children, what do you want to be when you grow up ? We state an occupation. In reality we state what we believe that occupation to be, a hero, or some other lofty goal. In the eyes of a child many jobs may appear that way. Whatever occupation Mom or Dad may have will often be the first choice. That is a natural thing.
Following childhood circumstance plays an ever increasing role. Do we continue our formal education ? Circumstances may prevent or enable that choice. Do we choose another path, entering the workforce or joining the military ? How we adapt to the circumstances we are presented with is another choice. Those choices begin to define us, to others. They may or may not define us to ourselves. Is it " just a job " or is it a choice ? The real question is, will you accept that choice as your own ? That is to say, are you doing it for you, or for someone or something else ?
Now others may define you by these actions and/or choices and do so in a favorable way but it is not satisfying to you. Yes, accolades are nice but you can't sustain contentment on accolades. Accolades are garnered by pleasing others. Contentment comes from within yourself. Contentment is the product of being fulfilled. Fulfillment comes from accomplishment. We do need to know what it is we wish to accomplish before that can happen. That is the defining of who we are. What do you want to be when you grow up ? What is that goal ? Is the goal an occupation ?
At this time and place in my life, my circumstances if you will, I believe I would just like to be helpful and informative. That is my focus these days. I take satisfaction in helping others, always have. I have also always enjoyed being able to inform. Some would say I have a need to be " right. " I'll admit to having strong opinions ! My greatest satisfaction comes we I can answer the call. I don't always want to answer the call, but that is another topic altogether. So the answer to the question, what do you want to be when you grow up is an easy one now, I want to be helpful. Not as easy as it sounds though. Others define my actions and they don't necessarily see it as helpful. Well, that's another blog.
I believe that to be the case because who we are changes and evolves over time and circumstance. We are defined by our actions. The unfortunate truth in that lies in the fact that others are doing the defining. We do not get to define ourselves. If we could do that there would be need for heroes ! If we could simply define ourselves to what would we aspire ? And isn't it our aspirations that truly define us ? It is those aspirations that lie at the core. Who we wish to be. That is the question we are asked as children, what do you want to be when you grow up ? We state an occupation. In reality we state what we believe that occupation to be, a hero, or some other lofty goal. In the eyes of a child many jobs may appear that way. Whatever occupation Mom or Dad may have will often be the first choice. That is a natural thing.
Following childhood circumstance plays an ever increasing role. Do we continue our formal education ? Circumstances may prevent or enable that choice. Do we choose another path, entering the workforce or joining the military ? How we adapt to the circumstances we are presented with is another choice. Those choices begin to define us, to others. They may or may not define us to ourselves. Is it " just a job " or is it a choice ? The real question is, will you accept that choice as your own ? That is to say, are you doing it for you, or for someone or something else ?
Now others may define you by these actions and/or choices and do so in a favorable way but it is not satisfying to you. Yes, accolades are nice but you can't sustain contentment on accolades. Accolades are garnered by pleasing others. Contentment comes from within yourself. Contentment is the product of being fulfilled. Fulfillment comes from accomplishment. We do need to know what it is we wish to accomplish before that can happen. That is the defining of who we are. What do you want to be when you grow up ? What is that goal ? Is the goal an occupation ?
At this time and place in my life, my circumstances if you will, I believe I would just like to be helpful and informative. That is my focus these days. I take satisfaction in helping others, always have. I have also always enjoyed being able to inform. Some would say I have a need to be " right. " I'll admit to having strong opinions ! My greatest satisfaction comes we I can answer the call. I don't always want to answer the call, but that is another topic altogether. So the answer to the question, what do you want to be when you grow up is an easy one now, I want to be helpful. Not as easy as it sounds though. Others define my actions and they don't necessarily see it as helpful. Well, that's another blog.
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