WHO ARE YOU? (know your priority, responsibility, identity)

WHO ARE YOU?

The fact is that: “Until you know who you are first, you cannot know who you are not. Else! One will be driven or push around by the people, factors and world that surrounds you.”

     The moment you step aside and take time to discover yourself; what you want, like or interested in. Life becomes simple and less complicated as presented to you by others. Self-discovery and purpose cannot be jeopardized for anything in the quest of knowing yourself. This is that point when you critically assess yourself, not by asking others to tell you about yourself, neither is it by seeking for people’s opinion and comment. You need to find out, what are your priorities, responsibilities, goals, concern, purpose and other important values for you.

For instance, if someone who already knew my name, walk up to me and ask the question “Who are you?” I would definitely respond with this (cause it looks like a serious matter):

“I am a Christian, Minister, Leader, Male, Son, Parent to-be, Family member, Friend, Blogger, Content Writer and Nigerian by birth”

This list is organized in my own priority order from the most important to the least. If I am stripped or denied of any of these qualities or responsibilities, the only thing that will matter most to me and worth fighting for; is my “Christianity”. Because it is my relationship with God, faith and path I choose to follow. Not yours, and not because of others. 

        It simply means that in whatever I do, whatever I think about or whatever decision I want to make: whenever I am asked of my identity, I would never deny my relationship with God, as the rest are my relationship with others and the world. 

Nonetheless, my responsibility to others and the world, reminds me that am not on earth to play or waste time. Neither am I a “lonely-ranger” – to exist for yourself and yourself alone. I do take my Christianity everywhere I go and into everything I do: family-life, business-life, social-life, job, country and to the world at large. This is what defines me, like it or not. 

       But, if you critically assess the above statement, you will definitely agree with me that it’s not the same for everybody. You must have met or seen people who love their job more than their family, love their marriage than their dreams, their friends than family or friends than work. It usually vary according to individual’s preference or interest. 

       It can be said that our responsibilities or identity to others and the world, can change at any time or period due to different reasons or factors around. But, we should not allow those factors to determine who we are or choose to be as they can be very misleading and unstable. For instance, you can change or be denied your citizenship, family rights, jobs, business, relationship and others… it still doesn’t change who you are.

       My point remains that “knowing who you are or discovering yourself” does not only make you identify yourself, your responsibility and your purpose. It also makes you know “what you are not”. By this, you would be relieve of the burden of other people’s comment, opinion, judgment, suggestion or even attempt to change you. 

It will make you more determined and focused on your own goals, dreams, aspiration and fulfillment in life, not living for others or how they want you to live your life. Above all, “knowing who you are” helps you to re-arrange your priorities in the right and best way you want. 

Note: This article of thought is not written to give you steps on how to discover your purpose in life, what to like or not to, how to live … as there are enough books on these topics already. It is to question yourself about your priorities, responsibilities, interest and identity in order to act accordingly.

Be sincere with yourself, “Who are you?” I challenge you to write down yours!.

Please! Make sure you drop your comments. 

Fayombo Gabriel 

Thought For Thoughts 

... because we will think and act.