11/24/2021
Identity:
Our identity is one of the most important aspects of our lives. It encompasses who we were, who we are, who we will be, and who we want to be.
But what exactly is it?
More specifically, what is it to you?
Nationality? Is your identity in where you come from? Does it lie in your culture and your country? How about the face you see in the mirror and the one the world comes to know? The days of independence and remembrance across the globe for every country are always felt strongly and celebrated heartily. For others, it is their race that brings them that sense of self and the comforts of home.
Sexuality? Does your identity come from what gender you identify with or what gender you are attracted to? Pride in sexuality has been such a strong pull in recent years, and the strides taken have been difficult and long-yearned for.
Individuality? The individual is perhaps the broadest spectrum listed here, as it crosses every line of unity and division. Individuality focuses on the person and the unique and special elements they bring to the world. How you bring joy through your own sense of self might be your identity.
Personality? We are all a big mesh of different experiences that helped to form our personality, and this makes us act and think as we do. Is this what defines your identity?
Equality? Does the mistreatment of others eat you up as you see someone just as guilty walk away seemingly without blame? Another element of identity wrapped up in strong emotions these days, equality might be part of your identity if you feel justice needs to be served without regard to any other external factors.
Formality? Does having things in a set way, a predictability of life, bring you comfort? Perhaps you enjoy a night on the town dressed to the nines, or having people act a certain way that comes with being formal. This could be your identity.
Spirituality? Does an unseen force drive you and bring you peace and purpose? For well over half the population of our world, it does, in a multitude of different ways. It can be passive, it can be all-encompassing, but spirituality is what many identify with and derive identity from.
Practicality? Does it drive you crazy that "common" sense is so...un-common? That we have gotten away from doing things smarter, not harder? Practicality has its functions, and for many, this could be something they identify with.
Normality? Coming up through a global pandemic, the notion of normality has been lamented many times. It's something we all miss, and it seems just out of reach for many.
Or is it a blend of these? Is your identity wrapped up in many different forms?
Mine is.
We can sometimes get caught up in the lines drawn by identity, and these lines can put up defenses and pull us away from people. We may, at times, forget that our identities can alter as we go through our lives and have different experiences.
Sometimes we lose our identity.
It seems scary that something so fundamentally "us" can be lost or taken, and yet we find ourselves in a time where that is happening. My hope is that, in those moments, we are able to come out the other side stronger. Surer.
Find our identity.
Find ourselves.
