Inside, Outside, And Inside out!

Inside, Outside, and Inside-out!

Eileen Renders

Who am I? Who do I think I am? Who am I really, and who do I aspire to be? There is a similar way in which most people who know us might describe how we present ourselves. There is the person who we believe we are, and of course, there is the person who we really would like to be. And there is the person who we truly are. Perhaps the way most people describe us is who we are.

Ironically, we are often not seen in the way we would like to be seen.

While we perceive ourselves as clear thinkers who are goal-oriented and as high achievers, others may see us as a type “A” personality, a sort of hyperactive person who must do things their way. How then might we determine exactly who we are?

Alone, and in deep thought, we might consider our traits, our beliefs, our sense of empathy, and our desire to give, as well as our capacity for empathy towards others. Check those that apply. Are we argumentative? Do we take pleasure in correcting the mistakes of others? Are we known to criticize how others dress, speak, or behave in other ways? Place a check mark next to those personality traits that apply. 

If we determine that we have more negative traits than positive, do we want to make corrections? If we would like to become more positive, helpful, and pursue a meaningful life, is there a way to meet that challenge successfully? Yes, and most of us would be wise to slow down occasionally, spend time with God, pray for His guidance, and ask Him to lead us, for we all need the Good Shepherd in our lives. Emulate His great love, mercy, patience, and wisdom. Not only will we all feel better about ourselves, but we will be spreading goodwill, others will appreciate who we are, and we will be paying it forward.

For all of us, I suppose, much of our lives are about “Who do we want to be? Who is our favorite person, or personal Saint, whom we honor? Each of us can do better when we are aware that we are not giving our best.

Time alone with God can show us what He would desire us to become, and provide us the ability to become that person when we are willing to work at being who God wants us to be. We are not alone. We all would do well to take our inventory once in a while to review our progress in becoming who God desires us to be.