How do we diefine ourselves? If we are the sum total of our life's work, then we can not define ourselves-others must do it for us.
But if asked, in a few simple sentences, who would you say you are?
I am many things. I am a Christian, a husband, a father, a farmer, a writer, a disk jockey-but those are, with the exception of the first three, jobs. Are we defined by other work?
Our view of ourselves is very important. Our mental outlook affects our dealings with others.
It is important to know ourselves. That is not an attempt at humor: if I were attempting humor I would put a red nose and clown shoes on my next word. Knowing ourselves is not easy-it takes years and an awareness of self. Some people, in my opinion, never have that awareness.
Know yourself. Know your faults, your weaknesses as well as your strengths. This sometimes requires looking at yourself as others see you. I know I am sometimes seen as abrasive or brusk. I don't intend either of these, of course, but I am aware that I have that trait.
The bigger question is what are we leaving behind us? Will we be just one more carbon trail? Will we enrich the lives of those who knew us?
I have never made New Year's Resolutions. I don't believe that if you are honestly ready to change yourself that you need to wait until a certain day to do it. But it doesn't hurt to reflect on our lives as the New Year approaches. Are you doing as you ought? Are you fulfilling your destiny whatever it is? Or are you just one more dead weight, sucking the life out of the universe?
No comments:
Post a Comment