Okay, here’s the expanded question: Who am I beyond my accomplishments, my professional identity, and the roles I play for others (like parent, spouse, friend, colleague)? If I were stripped of all external validation, career achievements, and the expectations placed upon me by society and my relationships, what essential qualities, values, interests, and innate passions would remain to define my core self? And how can I better connect with and nurture that authentic self amidst the daily pressures and demands of life?
Answer
Beyond accomplishments and professional identity, you are the culmination of experiences, relationships, and intrinsic qualities that define your individual being. You are a repository of memories, both joyous and painful, that have shaped your perspective and understanding of the world. You possess a unique set of values, beliefs, and principles that guide your actions and decisions.
You are defined by your capacity for empathy, compassion, and connection with others. You have the ability to form meaningful relationships, offering support, love, and understanding to those around you. You possess a certain personality, a blend of traits, quirks, and tendencies that distinguish you from everyone else.
You are characterized by your passions, interests, and hobbies, the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment outside of the professional sphere. These pursuits reflect your innate curiosity, creativity, and desire for personal growth.
You are a complex tapestry of emotions, capable of experiencing a wide range of feelings, from happiness and excitement to sadness and disappointment. Your emotional responses are shaped by your individual experiences and contribute to your overall sense of self.
You are a spiritual being, whether that spirituality is rooted in organized religion, a personal connection to nature, or a sense of purpose beyond the material world. This aspect of your being provides meaning and direction to your life.
You are, at your core, a human being with inherent worth and dignity, deserving of respect and compassion. You are a work in progress, constantly evolving and learning throughout your life. You are defined by your capacity for growth, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges. You are the sum total of your internal world and your interactions with the external world, a unique and irreplaceable individual.
Pray This Prayer
O Divine Presence, Source of All Being,
I come before you humbled, seeking clarity. I confess I often define myself by the roles I play, the tasks I complete, the accolades I receive. I cling to the image of "successful [your profession/field]", believing that this label grants me worth.
But who am I beyond my accomplishments and professional identity?
Who am I when the applause fades, when the projects are finished, when the email inbox is empty?
Help me to peel back the layers of expectation, to shed the skin of professional striving. Show me the inherent value you placed within me, the divine spark that exists independent of any external achievement.
Grant me the courage to look within, to discover the authentic self, the soul you created with love and purpose. Let me find peace not in what I do, but in who I am in your eyes – a beloved child, worthy of grace and unconditional love.
Help me to embrace my imperfections, to forgive my shortcomings, and to see myself with the same compassion you offer me.
May I live a life rooted not in external validation, but in the inner knowing of my own inherent worthiness.
Thank you for your boundless love and unwavering presence. Amen.