“Who am I?” is Everything

This question may seem elementary or the statement of an amnesiac. However, if we cannot clearly and quickly answer it, we risk making poor decisions and perhaps never reaching our full potential. We are all products of our family heritage, educational background, work experience and spiritual experience.  It is very easy to loose our true identity based only on an understanding of “what we do” and “what others expect of us.”  To answer the question, “who am I?” it is essential that we stop for a moment and reflect.

I wrestled with this question for the first time in my early 20’s.  I felt frustrated as I pondered what I had been put on this earth to do.  Fortunately, I had the opportunity to share my dissatisfaction with an older gentlemen who I trusted. As I was describing my situation and the pulling of others to make the choices they had made, he calmly said to me, “You just need to be the best George Gundlach you can be.”  I was stunned by his words.  The thought was both freeing and terrifying.  It was first freeing to find someone without an agenda for me.  The terrifying part was wondering how I was to discover my purpose that was lodged deep within my DNA.

Old, ugly, tired, mean, fat, and broke
I recently overheard a conversation between two Southerners.  One man asked how the other one was doing.  The other man answered saying, “I am old, ugly, tired, mean, fat, and broke.”  Now there, I humorously thought to myself, is a man who really knows who he is!  He was in touch with his identity and he responded with simple clarity.  Most of us, however, have a difficult time simply and succinctly answering the question, “Who am I?”

          
What are Your Core Values?
 
What are the principles, standards, or qualities that you live by?  Most importantly, what are your top five core values?  The easiest way to make your list is from a larger list of possible core values.  In the GPS Life Journey curriculum we use a list of 90 possibilities.  E-mail me and I will send the list to you.

Knowing your core values will help you demonstrate character and get and stay motivated.   They are formed in us through people we know and experiences we have.  To be successful in our life purpose it is essential that we know them and reflect on them frequently.  Fernando Cardoso, accomplished sociologist, professor and politician has said, “It is impossible to build enduring institutions (or a successful life) without solid values.”  Much like spokes in a wheel, our values help us move through life honorably, consistently, and successfully.

Directive: Write down your top five core values.  Display them.  Review them.   Live by them.