Can you Answer this question, Who Am I?

A few days ago, I asked a question on my twitter account.  The question was: If you are asked: Who are you, what would you answer?

Undoubtedly, a majority I bet would utter their name(s) in response. Still, I went on to front: Now ask yourself, “Who am I?”

After posing the above questions, I appealed for sincerity from anyone who wanted to answer. That notwithstanding, you may wonder why I asked such questions and you may pose! Doesn’t he think people know who they are?

But hold your breath a minute! If you keenly analyze the above questions, especially the “who I am?,” though it may seem irrelevant; to your amazement, you may possibly discover that somewhat you don’t know who you really are or rather, you might find it so complex to give a precise answer.

I bet, you just chided the above assertion and wondered, what does he mean? Well, with all certitude, I know you don’t have a problem with your name(s); you may not like any or all of them, but indeed you know your first, middle and surname! More so, I assume you don’t have any problem with your gender (Forgive me if you have gender identity crisis) I don’t mean to offend you!

However, think about it this way; whenever you are asked by anyone “who are you?” What do you suppose they are normally after, is it not your identity? Absolutely! Thus, your name becomes the first obvious answer. Nevertheless, your name is probably shared by hundreds of thousands of other around the world, but that does not make them who you are! Does it? Assuredly not!

Consequently, though name(s) are vital, they don’t necessarily answer the question that seems so simple yet so intricate – “Who are you?” or to make it more personal “who am I?” 

IDENTITY 

When we mull over the word “Identity,” we realize that it is a general or an umbrella expression or term used all over social disciplines to describe a person's notion and expression of their individuality or group affiliations, such as nationality or national identiy and cultural background or identity. Nonetheless, the word “Identity” is also used with regards to distinguishing places!

With the above in mind, let’s get back to our subject! “Who am I?” How do you formulate a concrete answer to this question?

In order for us to come up with an answer, I suppose we need to ask more questions; what notions do you have about yourself? Who do you really think you are? If you can pick up all the notions that you have about yourself and critically analyze them, you will realize that the same defines who you are. 
However, are those notions, a true reflection of your identity? If not, would you at any moment, be willing to give them up in order to become all that you can be in accordance to your true identity?

Are you, just like other people so engrossed in your career, family, social background; fears, frustrations, failures, envy, successes etc. to appoint that you have allowed such engrossments to formulate your concept or thinking; hence, your identity in a way that  you can’t think beyond? These questions are intriguing, but on the other hand, I am convinced that some engrossments should not be allowed to formulate who we are. As a result, our thinking needs to change.

OUR THOUGHT LIFE

The writer of the book of proverbs in the Bible said “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...” (Pro. 23:7)...Meaning that, the identity of a person is inextricably intertwined in his/her thought life....that sounds weighty, right? But if you seriously do a personal research on the above assertion, you will discover that you are not dissimilar from your thought life.

Consequently, I agree with Joan of Arc who said, “I know this now. Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing yet they give their lives to that little or nothing. One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. And then it is gone. But to sacrifice what you are and live without belief, that’s more terrible than dying.” 

On the other hand, Pope John XXIII said, “Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”

That notwithstanding, it would be absolutely impossible to fulfil the above if you haven’t discovered who you are. If the notions you hold about yourself are wide of the mark, then it becomes absolutely difficult to rightly define yourself, as opposed to being defined by others.

It is fairly easy to accept what others say about us – their description of who they think we are; but are they right? To some extent, yes! They may be affirming something about us...it may be negative or positive; albeit, what they say ought to be just an affirmation of what we already know.

WRITE ON THE PAGES OF YOUR LIFE

Nevertheless, DON'T let other write on the clean pages of your life for you; defining who they think you are. But write on these pages yourself and let other be just readers! Even so, don’t lock out those special persons whom God brings your way to help improve on your scripts! However, NEVEREVER, forget that you are the writer.

Moreover, you need to bear in mind that, if at all identity is inextricably intertwined in your thinking/thought life as we stated earlier; then, it must dawn to you that you can shape who you are. The power is within every individual...yes! Within you!

 Importantly, we have to hold onto the assertion that “any life, no matter how long or complex it may be, is made up of a single moment – that special moment in which you as an individual find out, once and for all, who you are.” (Jorge Luis Borges)  Once that is achieved, live it to the uttermost and everything else will just fall into place. It doesn’t matter whether you are white, black, red or any other colour; it doesn’t matter where you were born either. According to Hans Christian Andersen, “Being born in a duck yard does not matter, if only you are hatched from a swan’s egg.”

POISONUOS VOICES

As I come to a conclusion of the matter in consideration; it is extremely important that I appeal to you that never listen when that little voice of fear inside of you whispers to your inner being saying, “They are all smarter than you out there. They are more talented; they are stronger and they are taller, blonder, prettier, luckier and well connected. 
May be that’s what others or even yourself wrote on the pages of your life. However, such inscriptions are not permanent; in fact, you can erase them and replace them with the real inscriptions of who you are.

I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you once you have discovered your true identity; with the strength of positive conviction coupled with a resolve not to make success or failure; social background, colour, envy etc. the criteria by which you live, the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect.

Remember; if you pay attention to what you have read, then you will, like Oprah Winfrey, stand tall and say, “I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does she think she is? Now I have the courage to stand and say, this is who I am.”

By Martin Opany.