What It Means To Be Human: Identity
As you read this, you are sure that you are human, no one can refute that (unless you are a visitor from space in disguise). When you have a chance to stand before a mirror, you see your frame reflected and all its parts outlined before you, and everyone can see that. This is the first level of identity. But true identity goes beyond what is observable upon the first encounter. It goes deep into the fiber of your being; the characteristics that make you tick. Being human goes far beyond the physical arrangement of a being’s body. Imagine this; a team of brilliant scientists can genetically grow parts and organs of a human body. They later assemble it and they have a fully functional human body. But something will always be missing; the essence that makes us the people we are, our unique characteristics that set us apart, that sets apart even the most identical twins.
Let’s double back to basics, as an infant grows, the mind develops too. The child’s first experience with identity is with the name given. At first, it sounds like random noises, but with time, the child learns how those random noises are a unique sound implying a direct address at them, this is their first experience with identity. They begin to learn to identify the faces and voices that are frequently around them and associate them with familiarity and comfort. This comes with a feeling of belonging; belonging to a group of people they have learned to trust. The feeling of belonging is the second phase of identity. This is simpler when all the defining characteristics are primary and basic, it’s just family that one gets acquainted with. However, as one grows, they begin to develop the ability to differently perceive situations around them, be it at home, school, and other activity hubs. This brings out the mind’s desire and ability to associate with other minds displaying similar traits of perception. For example, a child who has grown to enjoy video games will notice those who discuss video games and regard them as people they can relate with; people they can identify with.
As more time is spent with this newly acquired family, multiple bonds are created within that group. Bonds that involve a taste of music, favorite snacks, assorted outdoor activities among other things. Now, these are safe characteristics that one needs not worry about. However, negative elements will always find their way into every gathering. The ultimate test comes with the ability to keep them all at bay. But, when one of those elements seeps its way into the group’s air, then we get to see the real power of identity. The bond created might be stronger than that one holds with their family because these are individuals one has chosen to associate with, like-mindedness creates a bond that has similarities with indoctrination. This leads to blind faith in most instances unless one develops a strong will. Strong enough to identify as an individual outside the group regardless of the multiple similarities one has discovered or developed with the rest of the group. Left unchecked, this has the power to engulf one’s mind into unhealthy belief systems.
“When you know and respect your inner nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don’t belong”
-Benjamin Hoff-
It is of great importance that one learns to identify who they are before they engage any external parties as they come with different ideas. This entails that self-identity is cardinal; the person we are away from the influences of those around us. Create time alone for honest self-reflection, to be in touch with your mind and how you perceive the thought-provoking scenarios in the world around you. In this digital age, it easy to stumble upon a grouping that has beliefs similar to yours, just as it is easy to stumble upon those with extremely different views. One has to understand that, even with the extreme passion with which those beliefs may be aired, they all emanate from the opinions of individuals. Some people may easily get sucked into the whirlwind of it all because they easily believe in its tangibility without careful assessment of what they are rallying behind. Even when at the back of their minds, the characteristics of their newfound family seem off, they will find ways of convincing themselves they are in the right place. Blame it on the need to identify with that group, so much so they forget who they are.
People lose themselves all in the name of championing a cause whose esoteric intentions they may not be aware of. Having the desire to expand one’s scope of a certain topic is encouraged; we should never stop learning. However, misinformation is never far from reaching us. If you can identify yourself, you will know what your essence does not agree with; you will know the difference between truth and rhetoric. In the words of Benjamin Hoff (American author), “When you know and respect your inner nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don’t belong”. Oftentimes, people ignore the strong conviction that reminds them that they are in a place they are not supposed to be. This has seen them perform acts so heinous they can’t believe they did. This is usually motivated by the strong need to feel accepted, to feel like they belong. A child who knows bullying another will be influenced into such an act by other children and feel regretful afterward. They do it not because they want to be bullies, they do it because they believe this is how to attain a feeling of identity.
Remember that you are magnificent in your uniqueness and there is no need to assimilate the likeness of others. Who you are away from others will be defined by the goals you have set for yourself, the world you intend to create for those who will come after you, be it to build that community school, to find that important cure, to create cutting edge prosthetics, to amplify the voice of the marginalized, to improve the state of the natural environment; this is what will shape your beliefs and guide your decision making. There may be moments when you veer off the path you set yourself on, but with acute conviction, you will always find your way right back to your original plot, if, and only if, you have identified what your true nature is.
