Shakespeare wrote,
"all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.”
As we go through life, we adopt a variety of identities and values.
The way we perceive ourselves can influence our ability to effectively meet our circumstances with fortitude and problem-solving effectiveness. How we perceive ourselves can limit or un-limit our choices and abilities.
Throughout life we have many experiences from which we can build and change our identities. For instance, if you graduated high school or college, or held a job, you had the fortitude to see something through and the determination and effort to get work done.
Some identities that can be built around this are, “I am someone with determination. I am someone with work ethic. I am someone with fortitude.”
Here’s an example of two possible identities that can influence how effectively we deal with challenges in our lives.
The first identity is that of the victim of circumstances. This identity blames outside conditions, people, places, and environments for their problems. It is the “woe is me” mentality.
However, contrast this with the identity of the proactive person who takes responsibility for their conditions. This is the identity that says, I might not be responsible for outside conditions, but I am responsible for my actions and my reactions.
If things are not the way I would like them to be, I must either change my responses or change my perspective.
Taking on this identity can be empowering and actually allow someone to overcome limiting circumstances.
The identities and personal values that we hold close to our hearts can influence our thoughts, words, and actions, so it is important to consciously choose ones that serve us.
Although we may play different roles at different times in our lives, we can seek to develop a set of core values like integrity that remain constant despite the changing circumstances we encounter.