Sometime ago I was at home, having a mind muse when the thought “Know Thyself” popped into my mind. It was like fate inserted that timely reminder into my psyche to get me gathered.
Of course, as musings go, I tweeted it out and it connected with a number of people.
It seems we are always being reminded by life to know who we are, for ourselves. It is important and vital.
Every day we go about our lives and typically we are in constant contact with other members of our communities – work, school, gym, family, etc.
But what I’ve realized is that people are always trying to decide who we are, based on their perception and just how they experience us each day. It can be tempting to accept and even feel comfortable with these distinctions. Who doesn’t want to be considered ‘Lit’?
Knowing who you are, fo’ real isn’t just something nice to say, it is a conscious examination of every facet that defines us and our actions.
I Know Me
I am an introvert.
For a time, I felt comfortable saying that I was shy, but shyness didn’t fully account for some aspects of my personality, that went beyond how I felt around people. It was more all encompassing and definitive.
Shyness, people can get over, but I was different. I recognised that it took more out of me to attempt to make friends or even get to know people. To this day that’s still an issue, which has decreased over time, but is still evident.
Sadly, many people misconstrue my introversion for other things… dislike, disgust, disdain, aloofness even – when really I may just be too distracted trying to keep my ‘ish’ together.
Nevertheless, I make no excuses.
“There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors.” ― Tennessee Williams.I know myself and therefore I am unbothered by how people respond to that aspect of my personality; I know, I usually don’t mean people ill will, and therefore I try not to beat myself up about it.
I’m a communicator, by profession.
And while I acknowledge the irony of this, being able to compartmentalise aspects of my personality helps.
The ebullient Communications professional asks all the questions, speaks into the microphone but someone who is also quiet and appreciates alone time.
Standing my ground
As I have matured and grown older, it has become easier for me to stand my ground and remain unbothered about other people’s issues with my idiosyncrasies. After almost four decades of refining and being truly honest with myself, it is safe to say, I don’t give a damn.
But standing my ground also comes at a cost.
There is the clear and present danger of me being misunderstood and misinterpreted by some folks. Most recently I have learned the value of truly standing in my truth and letting that do the talking.
That includes accepting certain personal shortcomings and fully understanding that I am imperfect and a work in progress.
Just Be
It is because I am so aware of who I am, why I firmly reject labels which seek to oversimplify, and dilute the true essence of who I am. I am more than what someone can throw at me in a phrase that seeks to define me.
There is a joy that comes with knowing that you never owe another soul an explanation for who you are and the important choices you make.
In knowing and fully acknowledging who I am, I have been able to come to terms with so many things that have occurred in my life over the past few years. The good that manifested from hard work and perseverance and the bad that was unearthed when the life decided to show me what was lurking under the surface.
Probably the best part about knowing who I am is the fact that it makes any decision to change, that much easier. As I outlined in this post in June change is what keeps me driven and excited about life. I’m still learning, growing and changing. Some will like it, some won’t.
Be inspired, Be informed, Be Glorious!
Kevin
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