Who am I?
Often times, when I meet someone new, they ask what I do. Most people would answer with their job title or description. Others with their political or religious affiliation. At one time I could have said "I am a Dragon", referring to my high school mascot. Or perhaps, "I am the farmer's daughter" would have been sufficient. My fellow Christians would say "I am a child of God" or something like that, which is true and most important, but I struggle because there are so many other hats I wear. Little badges that people identify me with often depend on the relationship in which we met. At church, at work, the grocery store, etc. They make an assessment and give me a label.
Labels are used to identify people. They can be good and simple. "My name is Carrie". "I am a volunteer".
But what other labels have I put on myself or have others put on me? What do I think about them?
Mom. Yes, I am a mother. I love my daughters so much and I am so thankful I have been entrusted to raise them. But that is only one layer.
Wife. Indeed I am happily married. I love being Joe's pick to share life with. But, don't dare think I am just sitting around hemming his pants or something. (I cannot sew, nor do I want to learn).
Sailor. Yes. I am a retired Navy Officer. Twenty years of service. Sailor's Creed is near and dear to my heart and has defined much of my past two decades, but the sea I have never truly sailed.
Friend. I have typically been "everyone's friend", but at times I have certainly not been a very good friend at all.
Sister.
Runner.
Ex.
I could go on.
If I were to choose one label for myself which would I select? Does it have to be one word or can I have more than one word on the label? What would that look like?
Christian wife and mother who loves to help others and works out a lot.
High functioning adult with ADD and anxiety who is a recovering chocoholic. (Hershey's for the win).
Advocare Independent Distributor who has lost 40 pounds and only wants to pay it forward.
Certified personal trainer who doesn't charge a dime because she really just likes to work out with others.
Passive aggressive, intelligent, yet highly self conscious, aspiring life coach.
Runner.
Motivator.
Crier.
Labeler.
What if we stopped with the labels? Can it be done?
I recently saw a video in which they had a group of strangers in a dark room. They could not see one another at all. They were asked a series of questions and got to know one another without knowing anything about the others' personal appearances. After they had ample time to get to know one another, the lights were turned on and their physical selves were revealed. There was a shock from these new friends when they saw one another's faces. One person was tattooed from head to toe. Another was in traditional Muslim dress. The had connected on a personal level first and they admitted that this experiment proved that one should never judge a book by its cover.
But can that really be done?
Can we peel the labels and toss them away forever?
Do we need to?
Who am I?
I am a little of all of you and you are of me.
Maybe the next time I am asked "what do you do?" I will remember that they are really asking, "who are you". Perhaps I will answer, "Same as you" and see where that takes me.
-Signed,
someone who is struggling with my life's purpose (another label)
Labels are used to identify people. They can be good and simple. "My name is Carrie". "I am a volunteer".
But what other labels have I put on myself or have others put on me? What do I think about them?
Mom. Yes, I am a mother. I love my daughters so much and I am so thankful I have been entrusted to raise them. But that is only one layer.
Wife. Indeed I am happily married. I love being Joe's pick to share life with. But, don't dare think I am just sitting around hemming his pants or something. (I cannot sew, nor do I want to learn).
Sailor. Yes. I am a retired Navy Officer. Twenty years of service. Sailor's Creed is near and dear to my heart and has defined much of my past two decades, but the sea I have never truly sailed.
Friend. I have typically been "everyone's friend", but at times I have certainly not been a very good friend at all.
Sister.
Runner.
Ex.
I could go on.
If I were to choose one label for myself which would I select? Does it have to be one word or can I have more than one word on the label? What would that look like?
Christian wife and mother who loves to help others and works out a lot.
High functioning adult with ADD and anxiety who is a recovering chocoholic. (Hershey's for the win).
Advocare Independent Distributor who has lost 40 pounds and only wants to pay it forward.
Certified personal trainer who doesn't charge a dime because she really just likes to work out with others.
Passive aggressive, intelligent, yet highly self conscious, aspiring life coach.
Runner.
Motivator.
Crier.
Labeler.
What if we stopped with the labels? Can it be done?
I recently saw a video in which they had a group of strangers in a dark room. They could not see one another at all. They were asked a series of questions and got to know one another without knowing anything about the others' personal appearances. After they had ample time to get to know one another, the lights were turned on and their physical selves were revealed. There was a shock from these new friends when they saw one another's faces. One person was tattooed from head to toe. Another was in traditional Muslim dress. The had connected on a personal level first and they admitted that this experiment proved that one should never judge a book by its cover.
But can that really be done?
Can we peel the labels and toss them away forever?
Do we need to?
Who am I?
I am a little of all of you and you are of me.
Maybe the next time I am asked "what do you do?" I will remember that they are really asking, "who are you". Perhaps I will answer, "Same as you" and see where that takes me.
-Signed,
someone who is struggling with my life's purpose (another label)
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