Who are you, really? It’s a question that has haunted humanity since the dawn of human consciousness. Many philosophers center the entirety of their philosophy around answering that question. It’s a question that will never be answered, yet we never keep trying.
Why Are You?
I’ve found that asking why to be much more fruitful than asking who. Asking why has lead me to understand myself in ways I could never have imagined. It centers my existence, enables swift and decisive actions, and it fills me with purpose.
I love music. My soul is deeply moved and inspired when I hear a beautiful song dialed to my preferred frequency. When the words speak to me and sometimes for me, they become a part of me. I’m infused with the spirit of the artist, and I am grateful for their gift.
The artists I admire the most are unapologetically themselves. They know exactly who they are when the notes from their instrument of choice ring true. It is in those moments when I know who I am, and it’s because we both know why.
What Are You?
I don’t often ponder what I am. I’m a human, and I tend to leave it at that. I’m also not a fan of putting people in boxes, including myself. I’m many things, I am nothing, and I’m everything in between.
I’m a father; I’m a leader; I’m a computer God, as my daughter likes to call me. I’m a husband, I’m a listener, and I’m creative. I could go on and on, but I won’t. What I am doesn’t define who I am, and why I am what I am is a big ball of happenstance. I’ll leave it at that.
Conclusion
I recommend pondering why you exist if you want to know who you are. Rest assured, you will never truly know who you are, but it doesn’t hurt to ponder. Living in the moment, thinking carefully about why you do the things you do, and understanding what makes you happy to wake up in the morning will enrich your life. I know this from experience, and I hope you have the chance to experience the best version of yourself.
