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People often feel the need to find themselves. The song “Find Myself” by Rooney describes how people feel about trying to find themselves before they run out of time.
Young adults either go to college or set off into the world to somehow find themselves.
Where have they been all along if they have to search for themselves? If they just look into a mirror, the person they are looking for stares back at them.
All kidding aside, a person’s identity and who they are has grown and matured since they were born, and each of our unique identities continues to grow throughout our lifetime.
Every person wants to discover who they are, what makes them unique and what their definitive qualities are. We often hide behind activities, work or relationships to give ourselves identity and importance. By doing so, we block our true identity from showing.
People often identify who they are through doing good work or through their career. For example, who would the president of the United States be without his title? He would be just a man. What you do or what the world identifies you as does not make who you are.
Also, people often identify who they are by their social group. Back in high school, it seemed a person’s popularity defined who they are. Popularity is almost always related to outward appearance. But if I constantly defined who I was based on my appearance, the real me would never truly be known.
I agree with India.Arie when she sings in “I Am Not My Hair” that she isn’t merely defined by her hair or her skin — there’s a “soul within.”
Relationships are especially a common aid in the search for one’s identity. It’s so easy to allow yourself to identify who you are through another person. It’s also easy to allow someone or something else to complete you.
I’m guilty of using activities and people to fill me up throughout my life to create the person I long to be.
But people aren’t reliable. People fail us, and we cannot count on them to make us whole. We must become confident in our identity, which constantly matures and grows, and allow our whole selves to radiate in uniqueness.
Without our jobs, acquaintances or certain relationships, who would we be? Are you able to stand on your own and proudly declare the person you are without your major?
It’s sad when someone loses a job or breaks off a relationship and does not know who they are anymore. I know how empty it feels to wrap yourself around one focus point and hold on for dear life.
Our activities and friendships do not dictate who we are. They are only parts of who we become — our whole identity.
I identify myself with Jesus. I strive to be identified with the love I have for God and others. God’s love is what makes me whole.
Some people say to find yourself you must become centered and learn to love yourself.
Some say you must turn to meditation or religion. I believe it is Jesus to whom I must turn. I have never found greater peace than being identified with Him.
So, who are you? Do you hide behind work or a relationship to make you feel special? Do you allow your past or appearance to define who you are? That’s for you to figure out.
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