If I were to ask, "Who Are You?"
What would you say?
There are a Wide Variety of Answers that People Give.
Some go straight to their Career.
Others will start with their Role within their Family.
Then some will get into their Hobbies.
Whatever you end up answering, it can be described in a single word.
Identity.
We all have a Variety of Identities.
It is actually a necessary aspect of Life.
Our Identities help to inform us of how to act in the world.
They give us ways to Communicate and Understand everything around us.
They are a Basis for Relationships.
However, there is a Dark Side to Identity as well.
Which is Why we must be Wary.
Identities can become a source of Pain.
Of Misery.
So, what specifically do we need to Pay Attention to when it comes to the Identities we Choose?
The first thing we must be wary of is whether an Identity gives others Power Over You.
Now, having some form of "Power Dynamic" is not inherently bad.
Parents should have some Power over their Children to Teach them and help them Grow into Adulthood, setting proper Boundaries.
Within Work, it is good to Know who is Accountable for certain Results and Domains of Responsibility.
It is also Beneficial to allow some people certain extents of Power based on their Specialties and Expertise, such as a Doctor or Lawyer.
However, if we are Not Wary of the Power Dynamic, it can switch from being Beneficial to becoming Extremely Detrimental.
An Identity can become a form of Chain if we are not Careful.
If we "Give" that Chain to someone, it is not far off from a form of Slavery.
What makes it worse is that we tend to hold tightly to our Identities, even if they are Detrimental.
So, we become Slaves, and we then Accept It and Hold It Tightly.
I've seen it play out in many different situations.
Bosses holding the Chains of their Employees.
The Employees "Accepting" the Exploitation.
Relationships where people cling to their Status, Despite Abuse.
It can quickly become a Horrifying Situation.
Which is all the more Reason we must be Careful.
Then, there is another way we must be Wary of our Identities.
The Vast Majority of Identities will Change throughout our Lives.
Someone will go from Employee to Manager.
From Suitor to Spouse.
From Childless to Parent.
There are so many ways that Identities can Change.
However, it can become Extremely Difficult when we Overidentify with an Identity that Changes.
From Doting Spouse to Being Divorced.
From a Dedicated Employee to being Laid Off.
From being an Expert to being a Fossil from a Past Age.
The Change in Identity is Not the Problem, but our Attachment to that Identity.
When we Lose the Identity, it too can become a Chain if we refuse to let go.
A Reminder of What's Lost.
It can Trap Us in the Past.
Prevent us From Living Today.
Make us Miss Opportunities to Move Forward.
As Humans, we have an Innate Desire to Grow.
But that becomes Impossible if we are Chained to a Lost Identity.
We Deteriorate.
Decay.
In these Situations, by Not being Wary of the Identities we Choose, we begin to Crash.
Our Lives Crumble.
It Creates Deep Struggle and Strife.
But, there is a Key to Understanding this.
Within "All" of these Identities, we can "Choose".
It is Not Necessary to "Hold" Old Identities that No Longer Serve Us.
If you are a "Dedicated Employee", and your Boss Abuses the Power Dynamic, You do not need to Remain "Dedicated", and you may be able to go Elsewhere.
If you Lose an Identity, you can Obtain a New, More Beneficial Identity.
Identities can Change.
Evolve.
Grow.
So, Understand that if there is an Identity that is Causing You to Crash, begin to Seek a New Identity.
Choose an Identity that Benefits You.