I find myself focusing on identity this morning. It seems as though I’ve been seeing that word a lot and hearing about it regularly. What does it mean, who am I, who are you, is that our identity?

I know I write a lot about being in the moment, the present, the actions we take and engage in now. It’s because now is all that we are living in, it is all that we have. The past is a shadow cast by our present as we walk into the light of the future.

Identity is you, right now. What you say, about yourself, about others, do you slander, or do you uplift, do you stay silent, are you honest and to what degree and from what perspective. Your identity is what you do right now, your deeds and actions. Are they yours or are you allowing them to be influenced by others and external forces, you must own them either way so make every effort to ensure they are yours.

Reputation is the shadow cast by identity. It may be seen or observed in the present, however it is from the past. It is others personal knowledge of your identity. The things you have said echo in the mind of others, each individually. The deeds they have witnessed you do. The alignment of these things make up your reputation. If your words and deeds do not align, your reputation will grow from the more egregious of the two. Your actions weighing heavier on the scale of reputation, for if you speak generously and have no actions then your words are hollow and empty, yet if you are silent and your actions are generous then your reputation will grow in righteousness.

Consistency and humility are two other vital components of identity. We should make every effort that our words and deeds in public are generous, yet not all generous words and deeds need be made public. Identity and thus reputation is tempered when words and deeds are done in private. Those that are generous and righteous will temper the good. Those that are venomous and cruel will temper the wicked.

Our identity is in direct alignment with our path to the future. Shift your path and watch your identity change, shift your path and watch the shadow of your reputation change. The change may not be quick, it may take time, it will change.

Should slander find you…be sure to know, that in your absence, you should count on nobody to rise up for you. You should not set that expectation for anyone, for it is not on others to defend your identity. In your absence, only your reputation will defend you, not loudly, as a quiet whisper that speaks truth to all those who know you.

Be kind, generous and honest with your words and deeds. Be consistent with all you meet, be humble. Make effort that your reputation should defend you and not support those who would attack you. Be confident in yourself. Find peace when good deeds flow from you like water. Let your words and deeds be your own always.

Keep smiling, you’re worth it!

Always Yours

me