Who am I?
I suppose there are numerous times in everyone's life when the answer to the question, "Who am I?" is frustratingly puzzling. For some of us, this question is merely a temporary stop between the here-and-now and the future (in whatever form it takes); for others of us it remains a persistent and noticeable theme throughout our lives. I fall into the latter category. While I find myself thinking about this stuff to a greater or lesser degree most of the time, it's been on the front (rather than back) burner recently. I think there are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is my current predilection for classes that are really challenging me to think about my academic career (and my life) in big picture terms. It probably also has something to do with this nagging urge I have to "make a difference" and to "be of service." Just what these two phrases actually mean is not easy to explain, especially when many things in my life and in the world at-large seem so fragile, so impermanent, and so mortal.
In the spirit of self-reflection I offer these links:
Oh, and according to the Belief-O-Matic, I'm a Unitarian Universalist.
Comments
According to Belief-O-Matic *everyone* is a U-U. I think they're getting kickbacks... :)
Posted by: Alex | April 23, 2004 7:51 AM
If everyone is a U-U, then I'll go with the second one on my list - Liberal Quakers.
As for seeking meaning through what you do professionally, I don't think it can be defined that way. I often feel that if I was doing a job that was directly helpful to others it would solve the same dilemma in my life. But, when I talk to people who have these jobs, the work seems to overshadow its meaning.
The people that are most successful at making a difference are those that separate their work and public service. Still, these are just words, and it is hard to not define you life in terms of your job. I struggle with this everyday and my job is definitely not as important as teaching.
Posted by: Reuben | April 24, 2004 8:33 AM
I liked the twenty question thing. It was more meaningful to think of "who I am" than other questions. And I found it enlightening which things popped into my head first. (My first one was happy-- which made me happier.) :)
Posted by: Kim Wells | April 27, 2004 7:48 PM