I usually start off a post with an idea of where I want it to go. I write down a few paragraphs on the train and go back to it in the days after. During those days an event happens or I read something that allows me to expand on my initial idea. This time, the evolution of the post took a while longer. Because even though I went back to the post multiple times, my idea wasn’t being expressed the way I wanted it to. It was frustrating, but in understanding that process, I am able to exemplify my idea of “the will of identity.”
This post itself has an identity. It has a will to be something. As its writer, my will is it’s will; its will is mine. I define what it is by the many words I choose and it will only be complete when I’m happy with its wording.
This post is not to be confused with having labels or titles that we put on ourselves and each other. This post is bring forth the idea of the mind, body and spirit: the driving forces of one’s will. Yes, we are inclined to react to the world in ways we were taught. We are inclined to react to the world based on our experience. But we all have the will to be something, a lot of times in spite of our upbringing. And we are the ones who choose whether that will is manifested or suppressed. As an athlete, as a writer, as a lollygagger, as a friend, as an artist, as a lover, even as an employee or all of the above, we decide who we are. Our identity is made of many different parts, comprised of everyday of our lives and we decide what the result of a day will be. We may think “we are who we are,” and that’s true to some degree, but even in that notion, you define yourself in that belief and act from it.
Lessons that we learn and stick with us become a part of our identity. There was one lesson that my father taught me that relates to this post. On a drive, I asked him about the reasons he made certain choices in his life, and he told me, “everyone deserves to be happy.” It’s a lesson that many of us don’t seem to grasp because we feel as though we are victims of circumstance. “This happened because of this.” “I am this way because of this.” But we must take the time to truly understand a situation, to understand ourselves and understand these lessons of life. We must determine what it is what we want and act from it. That’s where our will comes in.
The main point I am trying to make is that we define ourselves by our content (what we choose to feed our mind, body and soul with) and actions (what we choose to do day by day). What you think and do will not only affect how others identify and feel about you, but how you identify and feel about yourself (most importantly). Because when you go against your will there are conflicts within yourself. Sometimes you may not be conscious of exactly what or why it is you feel the disruptance within you, but that’s where understanding comes in. Sometimes the distruptance is needed, for the sake of change, to be different than you were, to be better.
The ultimate goal is to be happy. Let your will take you there.
LiberTeeLove 