Week Seven-Lesson Seven: You Are More Than The Roles You Play

Who are you?

Are you an activist, a farmer, a meditator, a teacher, a politician, a mother, a brother, a sister or a lover? Are you married, single, divorced or widowed? Are you gay or straight? Do you have kids or are you kid-free? Democrat or Rebublican? Christian, Buddhist, Jewish or Muslim? Who do you think you are? What "words" do you use to identify yourself and how attached are you to those words?

Here are words I've used to describe myself:

Katherine Jenkins. 41 years old. Teacher, blogger, writer, wife, sister, daughter, aunt. Outgoing, deep thinking, funny. Practices yoga, meditation and enjoys regular exercise. Scorpio. Usually votes democrat, non-religious, yet leans towards Buddhist principles.

But is that who I really am?

We are so attached to our identities that we'll do anything in this world to uphold them, even when that identity no longer fits who we are.

The truth is, you are so much more than all of these things. You are a living, breathing being with infinite possibilities. Mere words can't fully describe all that you are. In fact, by holding on to these words and your outward identity, you actually limit yourself. It doesn't mean you have to reject these parts that make up you, but realize that your "whole" is greater than the sum of your parts.

When you really tune-in to who you are from an inside perspective, you no longer need to defend your position in this world because who you are radiates from every single cell in your body. You are comfortable in your own skin and it shows. You are no longer putting on a face for the faces that you meet. You are YOU and that's all you need to be.

We live in a world that lives by outward appearances. We are constantly comparing ourselves to others. We compete and strive to obtain and uphold our positions. Historically, we have even fought, killed, lied and stolen in order to protect who we think we are.

The sad thing is, we all start out the same. We all come into this world naked and alone. If you break it down there is very little difference between us. At our core, we are human beings. Most of us strive to meet our basic needs and all of us long to be loved.

When someone is suffering, we don't ask for a background check. We don't need a resume to help another human being. We help because we are human and we have also suffered at some point in our lives. We can relate.

We can also celebrate the joy and accomplishments of others. Interestingly, this is a bit more difficult for us humans. When someone is suffering, we are more than willing to offer a hand or a kind word. But when someone close to us achieves something great, it is not always easy to celebrate this achievement.

Why is this? First of all, most of us suffer in some way or another. We don't need to do anything to suffer. Suffering is there and we can all relate to this.

But when someone faces his or her suffering, moves through it and, against all odds, accomplishes something great, it's harder to celebrate. Instead of celebrating along with this person, we start to feel depressed. We start to compare ourselves to this person. We say,"Why does everything always work out for him/her. What about me?"

This is a VERY good sign. This person, who wonders why nothing good ever happens to him or her, is starting to wake up. Because the truth is, every single one of us is GREAT! What you see in another is also possible for you. When you can celebrate the greatness of another human being, you will most certainly be able to celebrate your own and you will come to realize that no single human on this planet has a monopoly on greatness. Just as no one has a monopoly on love. It is available to one and all. It doesn't matter what roles you've played in your life or what has happened in your past. You are not who you once were or even the roles you are currently playing. You are boundless.

It's easy to find fault with ourselves and others, but to be willing to see our own greatness and the greatness of others takes tremendous courage. Be willing to let go of those roles that no longer fit you. Don't be afraid to be YOU!