~:[CH6 - Day 352]:~ Defining Who We Are

~:[CH6 - Day 352]:~ Defining Who We Are

It's easy to be someone when things are going well. You know who you are, know your role and know where you're going. However, who are you when times get tough and when you are trying to find a way out of the darkness. With the start to the week, I began to ask myself these questions, as I was saddened with how people around me were acting. We all have things we need to correct when things don't go our way. In the shadows of temptations, it is easy to fall of course, the question is, how off course do we allow ourselves to be? How are we defined in the absence of light, which truly shows the person we are at our core. I've noticed how many revolve their days around themselves, whether it be about their goals, their wants and needs, their hopes and dreams and while there is nothing wrong with that, I think we also need to also allow ourselves to define ourselves with a we. What are our goals, what are our wants and needs and what are our hopes and dreams. In politics, in sports, in love and in life, we've often allowed ourselves to get in the way of the greater good. As I heard the chatter today, I was discouraged hearing blame, hearing people disappointed because of what they would lose, rather than disappointed in the fact that it happened and they allowed it to happen. 

"Speak up, because the day you don't speak up for the things that matter to you is the day your freedom truly ends." - Anonymous.

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

"Do not exchange your dignity for popularity." - Dr. Steve Maraboli

It's difficult to do something that isn't popular, however, some of the greatest people in history did just that, made an unpopular decision because they were willing to speak up for what they believed was right, as they refused to give up their freedom. While tensions may have arisen, they made the world a better place, because they took action. As I think about the events that have transpired, I gain even more respect for those who can speak up against the wave of popularity in order to do what is right. As upsetting as the response can be, among the shadows, the light will radiate and your true self will begin to be seen. The question is, what kind of person will emerge? Can you truly speak up for a decision not only when it impacts you, but also when you know that someone must speak up for the greater good of the people? Can you do it when you risk losing more than you can gain for yourself, when you know it will be for the betterment of those around you? So many questions have entered and left my mind as I thought about the situation and it only left me with more questions such as "do people realize that these types of situations allow them to risk more than they can gain?" Personally, as all these thoughts wandered through my mind as the emotions rushed through my body, it came down to a simple idea. In the darkness, we have an opportunity to define who we truly are. Sometimes in a blink of an eye, we must make decisions and those decisions will truly shape who we are. The good thing is that if we're willing to give up some of our pride, we have an opportunity to correct our mistakes and mold ourselves into something we can be proud to look at, every moment of every day. For each of us, this mold will be different and only we can truly define what we want this mold to look like. We all have something we can work on, so I think we can begin today by reflecting upon ourselves and ask, how do I want to be defined, so that you can being the process of molding yourself. I am nowhere near where I want to be, but today is a good day to begin heading in the right direction. Who wants to join me?