Check out this article: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/mentoring-recovery/2011/05/who-would-you-be-without-your-story/
Who would you be without "your story?" My story includes social anxiety, recurrent depression, love of animals, recovery, bread-making, Christian, sexual abuse as an adult, medication issues, many fishing trips, and many more areas of interest. Do I ever stop and examine (or re-examine) my list of "cannots" and "should nots" and "impossible's?" On the other hand, do I often consider my list of "cans," "wills" and "want to's?" Most of the time, I keep my head down and plow straight ahead hoping to maintain stability. But after reading the above article, I'm thinking that maybe it is time for a little self-analysis. Maybe it is time to look again at the things that seem too challenging to confront, too challenging to attempt, too challenging to admit.
Hi Donna,
I don't know if the article you are referring to is from John who writes/wrote on this site? I couldn't access the link, but he wrote a very interesting article on this topic which I did read. On just getting completely past the labels we have put or had put on us for so many decades (in his case) of depression.
Getting beyond depression and thinking of yourself as someone completely different, a new person, completely. I think it is very possible. Let go of the past and stay in the present. Meditation I think is very good for this, practiced regularly.
Once I was at a meditation retreat and the instructor had us each pair up and look into eachother's eyes and for five minutes apiece , we each asked the other, " Who are you?"
Then the other responded, like for example, " a woman"
Then again, "Who are you" was asked with nothing else said.
And again, the other responded, with maybe..." a mother" or " a US citizen"
Then again, "who are you"?
Very interesting to try if you have a willing partner to do this with. I think I will do it again now writing about it!
Very curious to see what comes to your mind and finally what happens.
thanks for the post,
Marishka
I guess we are a confluence of everything that has happened in our lives (including that which we ourselves orchestrate.) So, "Who am I?" Good question. I guess a part of the answer is constantly changing and a part remains the same. Which part is more "me?" I think they are equally me...fortunately.