Who are you?

It’s been said that we always look our best in our resumes. While most resumes are basically honest – if somewhat overly flattering – pictures of what we’ve done, they don’t quite get to the point of who we are.

Here’s a fun exercise to help you paint that picture in a slightly different way: you’ll need a piece of paper, something to write with, and two minutes. In two minutes, write as many simple, bullet-point type statements as you can that describe you. Then go back and see what it says about you.

Here’s my list. I’d love to see yours in the Leave A Reply section below. Please feel free to use your nom de plume if you’re uncomfortable sharing.

Me? I am…

forgiven (grace and mercy are seriously under-rated)
a husband, father, brother, and recently, father-in-law
named after my maternal grandparents
humbled that God could love someone such as me
curious
a coffee lover
a baby-boomer
tough, but I cry at Wal-Mart openings
a shotgun shooter
amazed at how slow days and weeks can go while months and years fly
a learner
an advisor to business owners and senior managers
an admirer of fine pens, well made knives, good cameras, and most anything of elegance that’s well made or done right
one who loves a good laugh, even if it’s on me
a small town boy living in a big city
a cat person, a dog person, a people person
one who values true friends, storytelling, real people, and conversations characterized by good will, candor & sufficient passion
not a sunshine patriot
hopeful that at my funeral someone will say, “Oh, look he’s moving…”

In Other Words…

If I speak, I am condemned.

If I stay silent, I am damned!

My soul belongs to God, I know

I made that bargain long ago

He gave me hope when hope was gone

He gave me strength to journey on

– Who Am I? – The Trial, Les Misérables

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3

All men should strive
to learn before they die
what they are running from, and to, and why.
– James Thurber

Why should we honour those that die upon the field of battle? A man may show as reckless a courage in entering into the abyss of himself. – William Butler Yeats

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think. – Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

He not busy being born is busy dying. – Bob Dylan

Know thyself, or at least keep renewing the acquaintance. – Robert Brault