Identity is part of what helps us make sense of the world. It is part of the foundation that undergirds our perceptions and categorizations. If our sense of self is not strongly linked to real things, we cannot really trust our perceptions. Our perceptions are warped and distorted, making terrors out of trivialities and treasures out of trinkets. Ask yourself, are you living inside a scary snow globe?
Our defense mechanisms do not constitute the real I of our identities. They are temporary attachments to the wonderful I that lies behind the strategies we have developed to protect ourselves from the disappointments and dangers that accompany real living. I know there are powerful temptations leading us to cling to an imprisoned self in exchange for a false sense of predictability, security, and stability. I wrestle with these demons daily.
As long as we remain unwilling to leave our security systems behind, we will be imprisoned by our past patterns. I encourage you to do something, anything that you can think of that might scare you a bit, but that would also feel good if you were to actually do it. (Mine right now is writing and publishing this essay in a timely fashion.)
Even taking the smallest step in a new direction can begin the process of expanding your ideas about who you really are. The truth is that none of us have experienced more than a tiny fraction of all that we really are and all that we can really do.
By doing this simple exercise, you can begin to experience a world with broader horizons, higher skies, and more of everything that you are longing to give and receive, helping yourself and others to play in a universe of ever-expanding possibilities. This is why we are here, whether we realize it yet or not.
Article comments
1 - Dr. Juliann Mitchell, PhD
Bill.
Congratulations on your first article here at Blogcritics!!!!!!!! You walked the walk, felt the fear and did it. We never grow unless we feel anxious, that I can truly attest to.
I hope you like it here.There are some really great writers and lots of individuals with many diverse opinions.
I really liked this quote of yours, "I know there are powerful temptations leading us to cling to an imprisoned self in exchange for a false sense of predictability, security, and stability. I wrestle with these demons daily."
Best wishes and I will look forward to more of your work.
Juliann Mitchell
2 - Bill Frase
Thanks for encouraging me, Juliann! This was a challenge, but I'm glad I did it!
Bill
3 - Bill Frase
Interestingly enough, I just heard a story today about someone who was having some serious troubles. When pressed to make a change, he said, "I can't help it. It's just the way I am." And so whenever we think these kinds of thoughts, so our lives go on as they have before no real change.
If we believe that we have no power to change, then we are powerless to change our lives. Who we think we are is a HUGE factor when it comes to the quality of our lives! My hope is that we all will open ourselves just a little more to the possibility that we have greater possibilties than we currently realize.