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The Sense of Self

For all those who hate long posts, apologies again. Short ain't my style. Just some thoughts I have on individuality and how easy it can be to lose it.

Throughout our lives we're surrounded by people. Our families, our friends, our partners (if we're lucky to find good ones), our partners (if we're unlucky enough to be tied to bad ones for "insert myriad of reasons here) and just everyday people that we see everywhere. We often end up defined by the people around us, our role models, our inspirations, people who can do things we hope to do some day, people motivating us to strive for better and even the people putting us down. They all play a part in who we are. The question is, can it stop being a part that is played and become a cycle? It can. So many people lose themselves in escapism, self-medication, work, affection, wealth and the list could go on. If these things truly bring one happiness, I'd say there's no issue. The issue arises when it's not done out of an inherent desire built into our psyche, but out of habit, dependency, fear, defeatism, or pressure. I'd say the hardest part of this scenario is the necessary introspection to understand the nature of the activity. Are we listening to a type of music because we like it or because someone else thinks we should like it? Are we exercising because we want to be fitter or because the world thinks we should be healthy? Are we eating and drinking a bunch of rubbish because we enjoy it/hate healthy food or are we trapped in a comfort dependency loop that the world is more than happy to feed, if you'll pardon the irony?
It all comes down to locus of control. If you know who you are, what you believe in, what makes you happy, inspires you, depresses you, angers you, invigorates you and motivates you, your will is the strongest force on Earth. There's so much knowledge out there that is free for someone with the right passion to utilise it. Resources can sometimes be challenging and no objective is completely free of obstacles, however each obstacle is simply a test of will. Will you soldier on through this obstacle? Or will you allow the world any more control over your future? The present is your weapon against a future you may come to regret. The future can be an inspiration to utilise your present. The past is a memento of all your successes, failures and a reminder of the strength of wisdom.
I write this post as an inspiration for you all to understand your drive in life and to pursue it however you can. These things are our definitions in life and there's nothing better than seeing the progress you've made from putting in the effort to embody your dream. Whatever it is, put in the time, find a way, find a means and find yourself.
Best of will to you all as luck is relying on the world to catch you if you fall. Only will can pick you back up when you inevitably hit the ground.
Much love to you all. 🙂
SoulKey Best Comment
Very well said. Thank you! ♥️
To me, it boils down to self-honesty. Honesty preserves the considerable amount energy you need to consume to cover-up deception. It manifests physically as you mentioned in forms of escapism, self-medication, fear, and so forth.
Kodel · 26-30, M
@SoulKey Indeed it does boil down to self honestly. I'd say the hardest part of that though is to properly understand oneself first. You might not even know something you think about yourself is a lie if you don't truly understand yourself. Definitely a key point though.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
@Kodel Thanks for BA!

skybubble20 · 56-60, F
I love this message. 🌼🍀
I was living midst of people who are only focusing to get validation and praise from others in whatever they do and always lying about their background- which university they graduate or their level of living standard.

Showing off material goods and acting like they are highly educated and also maintain good looks by plastic surgery is a big deal in Asia.

I got approached by many people while I was living in my home country as a overseas passport holder, they wanted to be seen with me and speaking English with me so that they look like they are belong to elite group.

I wanted to get out of that environment badly and that was the time I was on EP and tried to connect with others through written messages.

Because I felt like a total stranger to live in the country I was born but I was away for 14 years and came back at that time.

I couldn’t imagine myself growing old in that fake, shallow country.

When I knew for sure I didn’t want to live where I was, then I always pursue and continually thinking about my goal.
I gave my full attention to my thought and imagine my future the way I want, I could be a director for my life film and choose the scenes and plots in my head.

My thought creates my own reality and my journey is not finished yet but I escaped two places that I didn’t want to belong so far.

If you don’t give up and just focus on your utmost dream with your true intend and vivid images then you can make it.
Kodel · 26-30, M
@skybubble20 Very elegantly described response. I particularly find it interesting to find others who have a similar experience or at the very least, comparable through the same lens.
There's definitely an identity crisis in the world at the moment. Plenty of people have no idea who they are but they also don't know how to find out who they are. So instead of looking inward at themselves, they look outward at others and adopt characteristics they like from others. Sadly it doesn't help as they only serve to make themselves more confused.
It's good to know that there are people out the know not only know who they are, but embellish and empower the parts of themselves they want to embrace the most.
GoneSilent · 26-30, F
People don't have time to reflect upon their life choices. Funny thing is, they don't time for themselves nor for others.
Kodel · 26-30, M
@GoneSilent It definitely does feel sometimes like it's a whole bunch of people adhering to something for a reason beyond themselves. Rather than doing it because of a defining, internal reason, they do it via an external extension of that and delude themselves that they are doing it for themselves. The problem comes when they fail to understand why it doesn't fulfill them. Fundamentally, it comes down to this philosophy. "Tell yourself a lie enough and it may become a truth, for what is truth beyond a supported fact? For us, the only difference is what we give energy to."
Eternity · 26-30, M
This kicked ass man, truly. Know thyself.

So many get carried away by the world. True power lies within
Kodel · 26-30, M
@Eternity Thanks mate. It's an observation that is hard for me to miss with people these days. So many people say, "I don't even know who I am and what I like." I had to deconstruct that to try and understand it and this post is kind of the end result of that.
Thank you. I liked the message.
Kodel · 26-30, M
@Lyfis2live No worries. Glad you liked it. 🙂
SW-User
No, I accepted long ago my role as a pariah. It's who I am. And I really don't think I'm missing much, we all are living on a dying planet, so what's the point anyway..
Kodel · 26-30, M
@SW-User A bit of a defeatist response but I can understand it. This world sometimes doesn't do much to foster any kind of hope or optimism. It certainly can be easy to switch off, with all the negative input.
I'd say the point is to make the most of it; to be one of the forces of hope in the world. Even if we are a pariah or living on a dying world, there's always room to encourage or empower others.
PoeticPlay · 51-55, M
Tell that to Russia, Iran,China , North Korea etc.
Kodel · 26-30, M
@PoeticPlay I'd need one heck of a megaphone, a few translators and potentially a security detail. 😁
PoeticPlay · 51-55, M
@Kodel
Nothing worth doing is ever easy.

 
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