identity crisis

Have you ever walked into a room full of people that you don't know but they all seem to know each other? First reaction... find a place that is out of the way where you won't be noticed. The reaction of everyone in the room to your presence... who is that?

"Who is that?" A question used so frequently but rarely is it truly considered just what it means to be a someone and to actually own an identity. That's right, own an identity. That is something that can always be yours. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, either wealthy or poverty stricken your identity can always be yours. Unless, of course, you don't want it. This happens quite frequently. People are given this unique amazing thing called an identity just by being born and then at the first opportunity they give it away. Although, can you blame them? Who wants the burden of carrying your own identity around. Just tie it on a rope and leave it in the harbor, that's your best bet.

Now, I hope that you might have figured out that when I use the term "identity" it is not referring to the little plastic card that you carry in your wallet that allows you to drive a car or buy a beer. I'm talking about the essence of you. What motivates you in the morning to get out of bed, what fills your mind throughout the day and what causes a smile to crack across your face as you enjoy dinner with family or friends. You. The millions of unique characteristics, talents and qualities that make up that beautiful body staring back at you in the mirror. The thoughts, words, and quirky personality allows some people to like you and others hate you. This is YOU.

So at this point you might be wondering, "ok... if your identity is you, how do you give yourself away?" It's pretty easy actually. I see a few different ways that we can walk through this life when it comes to our identity. The first way: We can determine our own thoughts, actions and relationships by our identity. The second way: We can let our thoughts, actions and relationships determine our identity. The difference seems subtle, but it is quite significant. On the one hand we can use our will to make choices that affects our life and the lives of others. On the other hand, we can give ourselves away to an organization, an ideal, a religion or any number of thing and then allow that determine our actions.

So there's a nice little crossroads for you. Should you, A. Determine what you are going to do based off of what you think is best to do? Or will you B. Let other people or things determine for you who you are and what you are going to do.

Well good luck. Until next time, I am Austin. I am Catholic. I am American. I am 21. I am free to choose. This is my identity.