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

[Special K]

Good question...

I primarily define myself by how others interact with and perceive me.

If people are positively interacting with me, entrust certain information to me, and hand over large responsibilites to me, I feel like my actions as perceived by others accurately exemplify my true character and what I want people and the world to see me as. I strive to be an intelligent, honest, loyal, responsible and compassionate person who brings positivety into the lives of people I interact with. If people are acting toward me in the manner I described above, then my actions emulate how I perceive myself and I'm content.

[ixcuincle]

I am almost always on moral high ground

I am baffled when people do stupid things which are illogical...such as people getting "biographers". You have a wife, why would you hurt other people like that. I follow moral code and I am puzzled when others want to be selfish and refuse to adhere to common sense

[Jumbo]

If you were a tree, what kind would you be?

[Rdskns2000]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO7ZqdGin-4

Lazyman- a 40 year old song from Hall and Oates' first album; best defines me.

[Jumbo]

You can tell a lot about yourself by rubbing up against things.

[Burgold]

If you were a tree, what kind would you be?

Money.

Oddly, in a word association kind of way, a money tree is the first thing that sprang to mind. Is it bad that the kind of tree I would be is mythical?

---------- Post added November-19th-2012 at 04:25 AM ----------

Good question...

I primarily define myself by how others interact with and perceive me.

If people are positively interacting with me, entrust certain information to me, and hand over large responsibilites to me, I feel like my actions as perceived by others accurately exemplify my true character and what I want people and the world to see me as. I strive to be an intelligent, honest, loyal, responsible and compassionate person who brings positivety into the lives of people I interact with. If people are acting toward me in the manner I described above, then my actions emulate how I perceive myself and I'm content.

That's a little dangerous, K.

It's giving a little bit too much control externally. The outside is a good check, but it shouldn't be the primary guage or maybe that's just how I'm reading it.

---------- Post added November-19th-2012 at 04:36 AM ----------

Good question...

I primarily define myself by how others interact with and perceive me.

If people are positively interacting with me, entrust certain information to me, and hand over large responsibilites to me, I feel like my actions as perceived by others accurately exemplify my true character and what I want people and the world to see me as. I strive to be an intelligent, honest, loyal, responsible and compassionate person who brings positivety into the lives of people I interact with. If people are acting toward me in the manner I described above, then my actions emulate how I perceive myself and I'm content.

That's a little dangerous, K.

It's giving a little bit too much control externally. The outside is a good check, but it shouldn't be the primary guage or maybe that's just how I'm reading it.

[Special K]

Money.

Oddly, in a word association kind of way, a money tree is the first thing that sprang to mind. Is it bad that the kind of tree I would be is mythical?

---------- Post added November-19th-2012 at 04:25 AM ----------



That's a little dangerous, K.

It's giving a little bit too much control externally. The outside is a good check, but it shouldn't be the primary guage or maybe that's just how I'm reading it.

---------- Post added November-19th-2012 at 04:36 AM ----------



That's a little dangerous, K.

It's giving a little bit too much control externally. The outside is a good check, but it shouldn't be the primary guage or maybe that's just how I'm reading it.

You're right...as usual, I failed to translate my thoughts into words

I definitely made it sound like people's interactions with me carry more weight than they truly do. Like you said, it is a good gauge and it's helpful for me to see if what I actually think I am in my mind comes across to others.

That being said, I don't base decisions I make on what other people are going to think. I follow my conscience and do what I, at that moment, think is right. I've certainly pissed off a lot of people this year with some major decisions I made in regards to my career and personal life, but that's just tough. In those circumstances, I made the best decision for my future, even though it garnered some serious enemies in my daily life. The type of people who turned against me due to my decisions, well, I don't want them in my life anyway. Their reaction to my actions was also an indicator to me that I was doing the right thing.

I guess the bottom line that I want to emphasize, but didn't word very eloquently in my first post, is that I don't go through life seeking every single person's approval. I do what I think is right and those who dislike me for that, oh well. It is very telling, however, to see how people perceive you by their reaction to your decisions.

So yes, it's more of an indicator for me, not a guide... Hope that clears things up a little bit. Maybe

[Burgold]

You're right...as usual, I failed to translate my thoughts into words

So yes, it's more of an indicator for me, not a guide... Hope that clears things up a little bit. Maybe

Thought I should clean up the grammar for you. You meant to say. "You're right as usual." I'm pretty sure that's what you were going for.

I think you're right though that others can be a good guage. I have one peer in the workplace who blames everything in the universe on everybody else. Pretty sure if it's always you having the problem... it's got to be at least partly about you. Drives me crazy. Take some ownership.

[Bang]

I don't think i really define myself.
there's too many "me's" for any one definition to fit.

I'd say that when i'm totally myself, i'm funny. Hang out with me, and you'll laugh. I'm quick, have good timing, and i have a rubber face and voice. I enjoy making people laugh and making myself laugh. It's natural to me, easy.
So if you ask people who know me socially, they'd immediately refer to the fact that I crack them up, and I'm fun to be around.
My friend Bill once said that I am a party waiting to happen, and if there were ever an epitaph for me, that would have to be included.

But there's also a much more serious side of me that I define based on my work and reputation. I'm a creative person, and i like that I can make a living being creative, and there's nothing like a satisfied client. So I work hard, and i strive to do my best, because that gets me more work.
My clients typically would tell you that i "get them".. i hear that a lot. They hire me because I understand where they're coming from , and i can create exactly what they're looking for. (I know how to listen. You'd be amazed how many people think they listen, but don't. )and a lot of people hire me because someone else told them that I listen and understand them.

Much of what I define myself as is wrapped up in my son, which is my big project in life so far. I was a single parent for a while, had a rough time, but through all of that I've managed to raise a good, balanced, sweet kid who gets good grades, enjoys being smart and active in school. Colege is something I didn't get, but he will. And he's in very good position to have a very nice springboard into life.
and that is what i would say is my most personal definition. I'm a devoted and determined father. So far so good.
(My wife is looking over my shoulder, so i have to give her an amazing amount of credit,, like i said, it was rough for me and my boy for a while, and she's been the most instrumental factor in my being where I am now. So tackon happily married devoted husband to my defnitions, there it is.)

But how does that define me as a whole person?
I don't know.. it's not really up to me. it's up to those who come in contact with me. The ideal is they all have something of the same definition, depending on which part of my life they are in.

~Bang

[Special K]

Thought I should clean up the grammar for you. You meant to say. "You're right as usual." I'm pretty sure that's what you were going for.

I think you're right though that others can be a good guage. I have one peer in the workplace who blames everything in the universe on everybody else. Pretty sure if it's always you having the problem... it's got to be at least partly about you. Drives me crazy. Take some ownership.

Ha, thanks for correcting me. My grammar stinks sometimes, and of course I meant to say you are ALWAYS right AND I have an issue translating thoughts from my head to the keyboard

As for the coworker you described...yeah, they're gonna have a tough row to hoe throughout their life. Not being able to take responsibility for both good and bad decisions we've made in life really hinders the maturation process and ultimately is going to keep you from success. I have to say, people like that I tend to distance myself from and eventually cut myself off from them. I don't have a lot of tolerance for that and either I remove myself from that interaction and/or relationship, or I'm going to lose it and blurt out something that leads to the disintegration of the relationship rather quickly (which I've done on more than one occasion, unfortunately).

(My wife is looking over my shoulder, so i have to give her an amazing amount of credit,

Wise answer, Bang!

Kind of nice to have people in your life that enhance it and bring positivety into it Definitely something I've learned a lot over the past year or two...

[CaptChaos86]

Interesting topic. I was thinking about this the other day and how much different i see myself now that I am about to be a father. Our baby is due on Dec 7th so its coming soon and i feel like i have completely changed my demeanor and the way i act around people now. I used to be very outgoing and played in a band so was always about down doing the whole rock n roll thing. So now i stay at home 7 nights a week and pretty much keep to myself. A wild night for me is having a few beers at home while watching the walking dead. So i define myself as quiet and reserved i guess.

[First Colony]

I don't think anyone is aware of the incredible influence that a father has on their son. More and more, I define myself against my father, and I come up woefully short. Even in little things, I find myself thinking, "This would never happen to him. He would take control of the situation."
We have a great relationship, and it certainly isn't anything that he imposes on me, it just is.
As a father myself, I find that I am thinking about this more and more.

But, how do I want to define myself? I am working on being the best father I can be to my two children. Everything else is just gravy.

[THEREALTOR1]

Did anybody else at first glance read "define" as "defile"

Followed quickly by a "wtf kind of thread is this gonna look like when I open it"

(sad part is my first thought should have been "ugh, I don't want to open that")



and to stay on topic, I try not to define (or defile) myself. I do what my heart and head tell me to do, make good decisions and bad ones, live with the rewards and repercussions, and thank god every night for what he gave me that day. What you will be is exactly as you are meant to be, and that will be your life.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I now define myself with my legacy, both tangible and intangible. I view myself as a loving and involved father and husband. I view myself as an eternal optimist, easy going, and someone who enjoys the simple things in life (a crisp fall day, the first snow, sitting in the quiet and just looking at our Christmas tree, etc.).

[DeaconTheVillain]

total scumbag