Who Do You Say You Are?

Who Do You Say You Are?  

By Eileen Renders                                 October 21, 2023

   This is a philosophical question that one might ask internally of one’s self. But, from an impartial view, we simply cannot answer that question as it requires observation and evaluation from many outside sources.

   Sociologically, we are associated and connected to a society that studies and evaluates development and social behavior. Some behaviorists have suggested that we are all actually comprised of three individual parts; Who we are, who we think we are, and who we aspire to be.

   We are for a lack of a better term, judged by society by our behavior, our actions. We, however, may not see ourselves in terms of actions, or behaviors we have demonstrated at one time, or another in our life. Thirdly, there is that desire within each of us to aspire to be that person whom we feel will be noticed, admired, and respected for what we have learned, how we have used our gained knowledge, and the respect that effort will have earned us.    

   In fact, as it has been said; In living a life that is in conflict with our beliefs causes much inner conflict, or anxiety. This state of being requires a great amount of self-examination to find and admit to that behavior, which is the cause of our inner conflict and keeping us from being the person we really want to be. The work begins when we commit ourselves to making the changes in our behavior that will eliminate the conflict we may be experiencing. Then, and only then will we be able to emerge a person who not only says what they believe, but who lives a life that exemplifies what we believe. Being true to ourselves is not only an aspiration, it can be hard, dedicated work. Once achieved, we can enjoy the fact that we have been lifted, raised to an elevation where we become confident, at peace within our being, and proud of who we have become.  

   Let it be said; “Life is not about who we are, nor who we once were, but about who we are becoming”!