Identity

Who truly defines me? Am I merely the sum of my mistakes or the labels others attach to me? Am I the titles I give myself? What lies at the core of my being? Is a moment of anger all it takes to brand me as an angry person? Are my past mistakes the sole definition of who I am? Does one lie brand me a perpetual liar? None of these things define my true essence. The essence of who I am transcends my actions and the judgments of others.

I believe identity is the essence of a person's soul, a guiding principle that shapes our moral compass. It is not the facade we present to the world, nor the decisions we've made, nor the perceptions others hold of us. It's not the heated words exchanged in moments of conflict.

Our surroundings, societal influences, and the people we associate with undoubtedly impact our behavior and choices. Yet, these external factors do not constitute our true selves. While constant exposure to negativity may incline us towards negativity, a change in environment can spark growth and transformation. Show me your closest friends, and I'll glimpse your potential future.

Throughout life, we accumulate various titles - parent, sibling, friend, colleague, student, etc. Yet, these are mere labels, not the essence of our individuality.

I've been labeled as worthless, inadequate, rejected more times than accepted. This barrage of rejection led me to believe that acceptance and love are contingent upon conforming to others' expectations rather than embracing my authentic self. I've lived as a chameleon, morphing to meet others' desires, losing sight of who I truly am in the process.

Moving forward, I refuse to allow external opinions to dictate my self-perception. I reject the notion that my mistakes define my identity. I am in a perpetual state of evolution, constantly growing and changing. While I remain compassionate towards others, I now extend that compassion to myself. I embrace my true self wholeheartedly, even if it means facing rejection.

This is my identity: a child of God, loved and capable of loving deeply. I am generous, kind, intelligent, humorous, compassionate, resilient, creative, prioritizing others' well-being over my own.

This is who my faith declares me to be: saved, forgiven, chosen, accepted, healed, beautiful, blessed, joyful, alive, cherished, hopeful, whole, called, renewed, illuminated, justified, victorious, God's dwelling place, united with Christ, created for goodness, secured in Christ's embrace, guarded by divine peace, wonderfully crafted, and ultimately, belonging to God.

My journey is uniquely mine, and it's time I start living authentically, embracing the love and acceptance that God extends to me. If my Creator can love me as I am, then surely, I can love myself too.