Take this week’s poll. Read the question carefully.
This week, you only get to choose one: Your best answer. Did you pick your answer? Good. Let’s examine your choice.
Really? Did you take the poll? Do it now. You will understand in just a few minutes why I want you to take it before you read any more.
Stranger in Your Midst
If I walked up to you on the street and extended my hand, asking, “Who are you?” how would you describe yourself to me, a complete stranger? (And for those of you who know me, you know I am stranger than most, so the question still applies to you!)
Hello, my name is John Q. Public.
Do all strangers begin with their names? Is this where our identity rests? Do we trust our parents enough to believe they chose the best name for us? Do we offer our name in hopes it will deter other questions?
I am [state your religion].
Are you proud to be a Catholic? Maybe you are a Child of God? Are you a devout Muslim? Maybe you are an Orthodox Jew? Are there any Druids in the house? How about the atheists?
Does your relationship with (or without) a higher power define who you are to yourself and others? Does Acquaintance understand what it means to be a member of your faith?
I am a [state your occupation].
Does your job exemplify who you are at the core? Are you always a firefighter? Do you practice law 24 hours a day? Is being a law enforcement officer fundamentally who you are? Can you state with certainty your occupation is the best descriptor of your life? Has it changed over time?
I am [state familial position].
What position defines you? Are you the proud Papa? Maybe you are Grandma? Is your primary descriptor Momma? Maybe you are the Big Brother? Or are you Baby Sister? Are you happily married Mate?
If this was your choice, is your position in the family so stable this is a lifelong moniker? Or have you been displaced at some point? Will you outgrow this definition?
I am [list qualities].
Are you honest or an accomplished liar? Do you have courage and charisma? Maybe you are compassionate and kind? Are you Alpha or submissive? Perhaps you are protective or oppressive?
How often have you not felt playing this part? Have you ever abandoned a quality to pursue your own au moment happiness, fulfillment or satisfaction?
I am unemployed.
Or are you full time? Are you on salary? Maybe you are an entrepreneur? Or CFO of a Fortune 500? Are you seeking your break-in position in your industry while doing something you find disdainful until you do?
Did you bring a copy of your latest three (3) tax returns as validation? Does your gross income define who you are? How do others receive or respect this descriptor? How often has this position changed?
I am a lifelong [insert political party].
Do you embody all of the platforms? Do you agree without reservation to what the party does? Do you support all its candidates? Vote for all its drafted laws? Are you always in agreement with its leaders and actions? Do you decorate with the party mascot? Does Acquaintance know enough of the real story behind your party to understand this identity?
Disinterested
Not into meeting new people? Afraid to reveal yourself? Uncomfortable giving information to strangers? Protecting your identity and the innocent? What makes you recoil from such a basic question?
Not Even Close?
Are you something else entirely? What is it? How does it translate to your new acquaintance?
~~~~~~~~~~
You only got one: Why did you choose that one?
~~~~~~~~~~
nigelld
/ December 18, 2011Howdy strange stranger I am Nigel Lewis-Davidson aka nigelld or leginld, husband, father and grandfather
😉
Red
/ December 18, 2011I think you shall identify with the next post in this series very well, sir!
Red.
valentinelogar
/ December 18, 2011My definitions depend entirely on why, to whom and sometimes even for what purpose. Reality is generally I only have one definition ‘Seeker’, it encompasses everything I am. All the other stuff; well, I am that also but mostly Seeker.
Red
/ December 18, 2011That is a very succinct descriptor, and one, I must add, which is entirely apropos.
Angela Young
/ December 19, 2011Finding My Identity?
My post. Rather fractured, but there it is:)
Red
/ December 19, 2011Nothing doing. Very well put.
Angela Young
/ December 19, 2011Thanks Ann Marie:) You’re too kind. Keep sparking imaginations and we shall all hang on your writerish coat-tails . . . .
Marc Phillippe Babinau
/ December 20, 2011For you fast readers out there, please read this slowly – i can’t type fast! There is a line in a Who song, “Who are you?” – when I get asked this question (yes, it does get asked, but usually in a confrontational manner) I usually respond “the last person you see if you don’t back down” or some other silly come back. But for the sake of this “poll” I would have to say that I am a lost, fledgling writer”, or simply “I am me”
Red
/ December 20, 2011Love that comeback! Always up for a good retort 😉 Thank you, Marc. Red.
G Devan Smith
/ December 20, 2011That’s not necessarily a fair question because if we have any sort of depth…we are more than any one of the above. I talk about that here… Part 1 of Personas! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpk9I2f_Bhc
Red
/ December 20, 2011And that, my friend, is precisely the point of the exercise. Thank you for sharing this part of your vlog, Devan. Red.
MysteryCoach
/ August 14, 2012I have to go up and finish the article, yet after I took the poll it said “You only got one” and it’s because I’m not my job, etc., etc., at the end of the day I’m “me”… so what other response is enough?
Otherwise it seems like, it’s all just about giving ourselves some identity through what we do vs. who we really are…
MysteryCoach recently posted..~ Love * Moments Like That ~
Red
/ August 14, 2012You got the exercise entirely. Stop by and see my answer, the next installment in this series.
MysteryCoach
/ August 14, 2012Oh. Well that was easy. hahaha! After I read the article I had nothing else to say.
When I was younger, I was married and the fella used to introduce me as “this is my wife” and that was it. After a few times, I was like… “My NAME is Plah”… everyone was surprised by that but here’s the thing, I wasn’t just his wife… I’m me.
I didn’t want to be defined in that way because that’s not who I am at the end of the day. I”m still an individual who is part of something bigger. Made sense to me.
MysteryCoach recently posted..~ Love * Moments Like That ~
Red
/ August 14, 2012I have never allowed anyone to introduce me as merely my relation to them. I am always my own entity. 😉