When People Ask Me What I “Do” May 7, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Less IS More, Mindfulness, People.comments closed
When people ask me what I do . . . it’s often because they want to put me in a box, with a label affixed to my forehead for ready classification.
It’s convenient for them to know whether I am (or have been) Doctor, Lawyer, or Indian Chief.
Occupation gives them a frame of reference.
Since I’m not one thing . . . or another . . . I tend to sidestep their attempts to categorize me . . . to pin me down . . . as if I were a Monarch Butterfly destined to be netted and caged by their expectations.
People have so many roles in life, associating oneself (or others) with any one label, while ignoring the rest, makes little sense.
Among other things, I am (or have been): writer, musician, painter, blogger, published author, yoga enthusiast, artist, grant writer, guitar player, songwriter, vegetarian, environmentalist, poet, actress, attorney, editor, movie goer, baby boomer, pet owner, activist, consumer . . . and the list goes on.
I am also an a-social, a-political, spiritual introvert, who is occasionally the life of the party. I have been both student and teacher, leader and follower, director and directed.
I have never been an Olympic gold medalist.
The roles I have “played” have little to do with the totality of who I am at this moment.
They are just labels, which do not define the essence of ”me,” nor are they written on my forehead with indelible ink.
I don’t have to wear labels just because it’s “convenient” for them.
I can just be ME . . . with all that entails.
And so can you.
We are not the labels we wear.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 