What defines you

 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the novels by Paulo Coelho, check him out if you are looking for an insightful read that teaches you a little about yourself. I discovered Paulo Coelho during a time in my life when I needed inspiration to be, expect and love better. Reading his works did just that. He is a wonderful author and his stories encourage you to not only look at your own life, but also how you are living it.

The above quote is a wonderfully written expression reminding us not to let the struggles and hardships experienced over the course of a lifetime define our whole being.

Don't misunderstand, I realize that the bumps and road blocks that I myself have experienced in my life have indeed helped to shape the person that I have become, but in no way have these experiences defined me as a person. I am not sullied by the negative things that I have experienced. Or at least I try not to be. It is quite a difficult task to remain the person you want to be without letting the negative experiences you go through in life consume who you are or will become. So often a person presents past wounds to explain the person they are today. It is a choice to let these wounds consume your life and being rather than making peace with, learning from and moving on in a positive way. Just think how much easier life would be if something that happened two, five, seven, ten, twenty or more years ago was not still affecting your actions, feelings and being today. On the other hand, it is quite another thing to simply say, "forget what you have gone through." I personally don't think you have to forget past hardships, but simply don't let them decide the person that you will become. It's not fair to you or those that want to have the pleasure of knowing the real you.

Just some food for thought today.