The Worst Kind of Identity Theft…
Identity theft: we despise it, we fear it and we do our best to avoid it, or at least we should. If and when it happens, it wreaks havoc on our lives, and puts our finances and reputation at risk. But as terrible as it is, there’s one form that makes others pale in comparison. And that dear reader is self-identity theft.
Self-identity theft is the most insidious kind there is. For it is not stolen from without, but from within. In other words, we are the architects of our own theft! We deny, we cover up, we gloss over and we obfuscate. We refuse to submit ourselves to ourselves, and therewith lead lives being someone we’re not.
It was Polonius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet counselling his son Laertes when he said, “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
And yet how many of us are not true to ourselves? How many of us wander through each day portraying a mask of someone we’re not? How many of us lead lives not in keeping with our true identity in order to procure some advantage, whether for financial or personal gain?
These are tough questions to ask, and tougher to answer. It means going deep within to discover our true selves; it means having the ability to self-awareness – something not for the faint of heart and the deeply insecure.
It’s a paradox, but those capable of self-reflection are those with the strongest sense of self-identity. They know who they are and aren’t afraid to discover faults, fears and imperfections – that’s human. And at the same time they recognize strengths, ambitions and talents, and in doing so know and understand their capabilities. They needn’t sell themselves short to anything or anyone.
Unfortunately, a great many of us fear introspection. It’s as if we’re children and cry for our parents when the lights go out. We abhor the thought of looking inward fearing what we might find, or even worse, what we might not. And by avoiding introspection, we lead shallow lives, empty and void of meaning. We believe our salvation will be found in money, material things, awards, or romance, but in fact, it never arrives. These things placate, but only for a time. The uneasiness of being someone we’re not is never afar. We’re anxious, nervous and fearful – not an ideal way to live life.
It’s imperative we take Shakespeare’s words to heart, and be the person we’re meant to be. We must chase out that self-identity thief as it’s only then that we’ll truly live the life we’ve always desired…
For more, check out The C.A.T. Principle: Change, Action, Trust – Words to Live By, a Global Ebook Awards GOLD Winner for Best Self-Help Non-Fiction Ebook of 2014, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. See the latest Amazon reviews here. Now revised and expanded, and a Nominee for the Best Self-Help Non-Fiction Ebook of the 2016 Global Ebook Awards.
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