What Defines You / Me As Individuals?

[47MartialMan]

Just a day ago my father house had caught fire and most of the inner items where destroyed. As the family salvaged through the ruins, many things that weren’t supposed to have survived had, and others had met a devastating fate. This was the home of my parents for 50+ years and in that time, much personal chattel is accumulated. And though my mother had past away over six years ago, she, and my dad, kept the bedrooms of their children, much the same.

In my sister’s room, remained shelves upon shelves, hundreds upon hundreds, of her vinyl records and albums along with many posters of bands, most rolled and stuffed into cardboard tubes for some type of preservation.

In the bedroom of my older brother, countless of sports memorabilia from his childhood. Things from signed pennants, playing equipment, clothing, trophies, and etc. he also had countless of comic books.

In my room, of course, oriental and martial art effects. Many trophies, certificates, gear, books, magazines, and posters.

My siblings and I had only removed certain things when we left home and formed our own families. We thought, the rest of our belongings could stay at our parents’ home, a place from decades of comfort and security. Along with the strong sentimental reminiscence of our parents, we did not bother to remove too many things for their sake as well.


What Defines You / Me As Individuals?

Could it be our;

Race / Culture?

Social / Class?

Success / Failure?

Kinship / Friendship?

Possessions / Desires?

Hobbies / Recreation?

Any race would seem to be prejudged by others. Looking into the culture of different races, each have their pros and cons, but all seem to have an inner beauty and strength.

One could carry on deep contemplation that race / culture, would set the very foundation of social order or class. It would seem that people are “born into” their race, culture, social order or class, but they cannot change their race.

Onward to more deep thinking, one could argue that their fellow mankind, apart from their race, holds them from success or keeps them in check for failure.

Could having the proper kin or friends have an impact on one’s race, culture, social order, class, success or failure?

And if one has a degree of success, being measured by their possessions and future desires could seem to change certain identities within those areas.

If one didn’t not have possessions or desires, would this make them not want to take interest in hobbies and recreation?

And within these categories, we formulate our own opinions or beliefs and try to hold steadfast to these, only on occasion to change.

I've never felt honest or comfortable trying to define myself in those narrow categories
To be honest, one could grow weary of trying to define themselves. In the end, I'm just me. Aspects of my race and culture have undoubtedly shaped who am I, but they don't define me. Culture shapes a person, it doesn't define them. I'd say my political views define myself as much if not more than my cultural heritage.

Shall I give indiscriminate fidelity to one part of my identity and nothing to the rest or prioritize one over the other when I have a greater connection with different parts at different times? I’m not locked into the confines of my heritage or culture.

As the global movement of people increases, the simple demarcations of identity will become more difficult for many. The more we retreat into an idealized and conceptual past identity, the more we delude ourselves. Maybe we need an open and honest discussion and to overturn a few assumptions about identity. Does one's past, whether ancestral or as a migrant, necessarily shape's one present?

Indeed, it may seem at times, that I scrutinize anyone or anything to the infinitesimal degree. And it may seem that I am out to purposely denunciate. However, before I do so to other people or subjects, I have taken such deportment upon myself first hand.

So, I had lost many of my esteemed possessions. They had seemed they had defined me as well – or have they?

[BlackDragon]

I would have to say character. It is a person's character that defines them as a person.

Race / Culture? Each race/culture has their short comings and high points... Many of the short comings is when one thinks they are more supperior than another. The High points are ususally when we realize that we all have a commonality here on this earth, and when we come together.

Social / Class? You can raise above it if you're from the lower half, and sink if you're in the higher

Success / Failure? Are all apart of learning and life, that is nothing unique

Kinship / Friendship? Can cease to exist weather through death or break ups for friends

Possessions / Desires? Can be lost

Hobbies / Recreation? Can change

But character....is something that will remain with us...even if we pass into an after life. It is what makes us who we are. It is what define's us individually, and it is deeply embeded within our spirits~

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by BlackDragon

I would have to say character. It is a person's character that defines them as a person.

Race / Culture? Each race/culture has their short comings and high points... Many of the short comings is when one thinks they are more supperior than another. The High points are ususally when we realize that we all have a commonality here on this earth, and when we come together.

Social / Class? You can raise above it if you're from the lower half, and sink if you're in the higher

Success / Failure? Are all apart of learning and life, that is nothing unique

Kinship / Friendship? Can cease to exist weather through death or break ups for friends

Possessions / Desires? Can be lost

Hobbies / Recreation? Can change

But character....is something that will remain with us...even if we pass into an after life. It is what makes us who we are. It is what define's us individually, and it is deeply embeded within our spirits~

Interesting.

So can charecter truly be represented on a internet forum/blog?

[Draven]

Well things like race, culture, etc, etc are all how the outside world defines us. They are the external world's way of defining you, when it comes to yourself philosophy defines are being who you are, who you want to be and who you want to be. We are all trapped somewhere between.

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by Draven

Well things like race, culture, etc, etc are all how the outside world defines us. They are the external world's way of defining you, when it comes to yourself philosophy defines are being who you are, who you want to be and who you want to be. We are all trapped somewhere between.

Great. So though I lost many possesions, I possess one thing overall.

Though no one in cyber space can actually know what absolutely defines me

[john55]

Originally Posted by 47MartialMan

Great. So though I lost many possesions, I possess one thing overall.

Though no one in cyber space can actually know what absolutely defines me

Yea, possessions dont matter too much. I am much more concerned about health and happiness. I could really care less about money...as long as I have enough to be happy. If I did care about money I sure wouldnt be getting my phd to be a college prof. but would have stayed in management consulting.

The worst part about our society, at least in the US, is that we only care about the important things when something bad happens. For instance after sept 11th everyone changed for a while, for the better. Then we go back to caring about the color our car and that it say bmw and that our clothes are louis vitton, etc. O well.

Its kinda like what I say when people ask me what made me be a college prof and I say..."I asked myself, what would I do if I had a billion dollars?" a college prof was the answer. I think its the best job in the world. It gives me a lot of time to myself for surfing, MA, and family. I am basically my own boss. I get to teach. I get to publish and add value to a feild of knowledge. I love it. I mean, this is what I would do after I took a year off, bought stupid stuff, traveled...then I would do the college thing with my billion dollars. I feel like if people arent doing what they would answer that question with, they need to change and be happy.

[Draven]

Oh and I made a mistake there are three people who make us up; who we are, who we want to be and who we pretend to be. Who we are is basically the sum of our beliefs and desires; this includes even those we don't put into action, who we pretend to be is the side of us we show to the world and who we want to be is the un-inhibited self. Un-inhibited can be in positive or negative.

[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by john55

Yea, possessions dont matter too much. I am much more concerned about health and happiness. I could really care less about money...as long as I have enough to be happy. If I did care about money I sure wouldnt be getting my phd to be a college prof. but would have stayed in management consulting..

Well, a carreer choice isn't just based upon finacial gain. if the mind/heart and/or intelletural structure are not ready, then success may never come.

Originally Posted by john55

The worst part about our society, at least in the US, is that we only care about the important things when something bad happens. For instance after sept 11th everyone changed for a while, for the better. Then we go back to caring about the color our car and that it say bmw and that our clothes are louis vitton, etc. O well..

Interesting you bought that up. I had first hand dealing with many Hurrican Katrina victims as well.

Originally Posted by john55

Its kinda like what I say when people ask me what made me be a college prof and I say..."I asked myself, what would I do if I had a billion dollars?" a college prof was the answer. I think its the best job in the world. It gives me a lot of time to myself for surfing, MA, and family. I am basically my own boss. I get to teach. I get to publish and add value to a feild of knowledge. I love it. I mean, this is what I would do after I took a year off, bought stupid stuff, traveled...then I would do the college thing with my billion dollars. I feel like if people arent doing what they would answer that question with, they need to change and be happy.

There is a thread about having money how would that change you/training.....