In a philosophical mood.. How do you define yourself?

[Burgold]

Do you define yourself through awards, failures, attempts... the attitude and reactions of others? Is it a list of accomplishments? Are you built on a foundation of the past or tied down by it? Do you not have a sense of self and are mostly reactive relying on pattern and habit?

How do you know who you are?

---------- Post added November-18th-2012 at 09:29 AM ----------

I think we wear any number of labels. Some don't fit, but our legacies from our gawky youth. I'm not the shy geek I was in some ways from my school years. From the other side of the spectrum winning second place in an art contest against adults still carries weight in my mind or being chosen to be a part of the best of shows on WAMU or a few other things. They help instill a certain confidence.

I think we're definitely an amalgation of scars and victories, attempts and retreats... be that in a material, spirtual, social, intellectual or other arena. I do know that I've often feel ill fit into many of the worlds I'm thrust into... for example, why in the world is this painter, playwright hosting a science and technology show? What gives me the right to talk to people so much more accomplished and learned in their fields?

That's the value of recognition I think I can convince or delude myself that this curious kid can explore, conjecture, and try to navigate deeper waters. It also helps me to forgive my failures.

Humans are social animals and so we require to a degree pack strength, recognition, and honor. I think that's where awards fit into our mental landscape. We want acceptance. We want love. It shouldn't be defined by the outside, but to a degree it is.

I think this is what some truly missed by the "You didn't build that" argument. Yes, I am responsible for my sweat, ingenuity, and results, but nothing could have been done without the help, support, and foundation provided by others. We're all integrated.

Not sure if I completely believe what I just wrote, but I mostly do.

[SWFLSkins]

You can stand on a path and look back, you can then use that experience standing where you are to move forward and avoid the pitfalls of the past. Look forward, there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror. I am not at the end of my path however far along I don't know, nor worry about, I just keep going and try and look around for joyful things.

[Koolblue13]

The best compliment I've even gotten was from a boss I had who told me "I am truly a kind soul".

She also fired me two weeks later, because I told her where to put her blind allegiance for Obama. It was a little over four years ago.

[Burgold]

The best compliment I've even gotten was from a boss I had who told me "I am truly a kind soul".

She also fired me two weeks later, because I told her where to put her blind allegiance for Obama. It was a little over four years ago.

Eh, you're a kind soul with an edge

[daveakl]

I define myself by my actions.

[Koolblue13]

Eh, you're a kind soul with an edge

Of course there is an edge, all high horses have them.

[Jumbo]

Whatever a person's answer to that may be, anyone may find some fairly significant illumination by knowing (with accuracy) how others throughout your life have defined/perceived you and your behaviors. IME, many people are fairly unaware of how others see them, and are often particularly blind to many negative (as others would note them) self-behaviors, though very cognizant of the negative (to them) behaviors of others (predictably enough).

Also, in forming identity we seem to be more directed by how we differentiate ourselves from others in disagreement/dislike rather than how we find similarity with others in agreement/liking.


I define myself pictorially. Unfortunately, China (the poster) has the evidence.

[twa]

I define myself by what I know of myself, which curiously is quite different than the general feedback from those around me.....I'm seen as a near saint by many

Now the feedback here is a closer match at times

[Jumbo]

I define myself by what I know of myself, which curiously is quite different than the general feedback from those around me.....I'm seen as a near saint by many

Now the feedback here is a closer match at times

When I make certain comments such as the one above, there are always a handful of common responses that are pretty revealing (usually, if I have some interactions with the person, stuff I have already figured ).

[Corcaigh]

Chronic underachiever ... but there's always tomorrow.

[Burgold]

Chronic underachiever ... but there's always tomorrow.

Chronic procrastinator too

[Corcaigh]

Chronic procrastinator too

"Men heap together the mistakes of their lives, and create a monster they call Destiny"

[LadySkinsFan]

One day, I came to the realization that I was a person that I despise: a user of people, someone who took advantage of people. In other words, a not very nice person. That was the same morning I decided to stop trying to be straight, to stop trying to find that husband who would take care of me and my child, and to finally live my truth. I decided also to make women a priority in my life, both on a personal level and a global level, and I started being a radical feminist. I am a person other people can count on, someone who is kind and tries to find peaceful solutions to problems.

The one part I'm still working on is working as a proposal manager benefiting from the military industrial complex. As a hippie and pacifist, I find the part of myself that relies upon the MIC for my livelihood as hypocritical. So I'm working now toward the day when I don't rely on the MIC to support myself, and it will probably take another couple of years while I get my Plan A up and running. It's been revised several times, mostly revising the location where I'll retire and do something else. I think I'm on the right track now, and after discussing in depth with my daughter the next time I see her, my plans will be cemented.

Once I'm out of the MIC altogether, I will be able to fully look myself in the mirror and see the person I wanted to be back when I was first discovering myself as a teenager. I look forward to that day. Oh, and I'm not a user of people in my personal life any longer.

This is how I see/define myself.

[twa]

"Men heap together the mistakes of their lives, and create a monster they call Destiny"

If they don't make mistakes do they then create their own destiny?

[big#44]

It's not who I am underneath....




Serious answer. Love that quote.