Driving my kids to school this morning, (we were late, they usually
walk), something struck me.

I passed all these architectually designed, resort style, beachside
homes, all rather beautiful, like works of art...

And parked our clapped out van, next to the shiny, shiny, 4x4's, all
glowing and pretty parked in a row.

I stumbled out of my car in my thai fisherman pants, (like the kind
people wear for yoga, or martial arts, mega comfy, better than pj's) and
my bikini top and singlet, (tank top) to be greeted, by the polished,
and glamourous, perfectly manicured, and coiffed mothers.

And I wondered...what is it, that defines me?

Is it my car, my house, my clothes?

Is it my job?

My children?

A partner?

And, how do other people define me?

See me?

Not that I care, in regards to materialism, how anyone defines me...

It made me wonder, though, how do you define you?

I think what defines me is what I feel inside and what I do in this
world...not by the clothes I wear, or the car I drive (don't have one),
as all of those things are nice to have, but meaningless as they can be
swept away in an instant....and what's left....me

your right you cant take any of ti to your grave so its meaningless!!

As you can probably tell, JJ, I am the same..

The less I own, the less I accumulate, the more I discard, the more
contented I am becoming, it seems when stripping the deitrus of
consumerism away, 'I' shine through.

My definition of myself is probably not akin to another's of
me....Unless they really know me well.

I have been defined by all that I have lived and participated in,
willingly or not. So,so many different things to weigh...

As I have grown into this man that I have become...it has been shaped by
this world in which we all live,in addition to the choices that I have
made for myself....moreover, what I have chosen to carry and/or
become...along with what I have chosen to leave behind, if given that
choice.

I try and do as much in life as I can....out of love....it remains a
struggle sometimes.

True character is displayed when no one could ever know the choice you
make...what would you be able to live with?

Yes I can tell that Lee..always puts a smile on my face. I can pack
everything I own in 2 suitcases and my backpack....am I happy with
that...of course...I have everything I need....
I used to have all the "STUFF", working 80 hour weeks and coming home to
a huge empty house....I'm very happy with my life now...And know you are
the same

Creativesoul...says it all...your profile name, and your words...

Being real...and honest.

And yes, character, true character...we do have to live with who we
decide to be.

I am me on the inside...Everything that makes up my personality, my
traits, my values, my thoughts, my actions...Is me!!!!!!!!!

Nothing on the outside defines who I am!!!!!!!!

It's funny...I lived the so-called American dream...being a single
woman, a very high salary and then....9-11 hit...now that was a defining
moment. As within that I realized, I had not the time to paint a
picture, write a poem....or even breath...not the time to help someone
if they needed it...2 weeks later I gave notice and haven't looked
back...not for an instant.
I love my life now
Although my sons think I'm wacked!

Yes I agree JJ...Lifes to short to just exist...It often takes a serious
wake-up call for us to remember that and to do the things that matter
the most to us!!!!!!!!

My hat goes off to you for being brave enough to follow your
dreams!!!!!!!!

ummmmmm my sparkly personality of course lol

Lee...thank you so very much...Your no-nonsense appraoch to life should
be cloned...lol

I have had pretty houses, and great cars, I have had opportunities for
glamourous jobs..swish clothes, and a fast life, where I had to "look
good, smell good, fake it, till you make it"...


BLECCCHHH!

I felt empty, I couldn't have defined me...all of it was souless...all
of it..I felt like I was living a 'glamour shot portrait'...


Horrible.

And my house always looking like 'Better Homes and Gardens' photo shoot
team were going to arrive any minute..

And yet, I am perceived as accentric, I have been told over and over, it
is not 'natural' to be so happy, or content...I have to have goals, and
to have these 'things', this 'stuff', or I don't fit others definitions
of me...

I find it strange, that the car I drive, the clothes I wear, the house I
live in, defines me by society.

Thanks Nature! Sometimes it's hard to follow a dream, but gosh the pot
of gold at the end of that rainbow is breathtaking!

what defines you is who you are...and those are your charachteristics or
personality i should say....independent, open minded, decent mom, loyal,
trustworthy, blunt, silly, crazy and my *****iness all define
me......your experiences help define you very much i would say also....

how well you live life may also be what defines you!!!

good question!!!

Not that you care Jess, but no mere words can define a person such as
you. Your too complicated, yet simple.

The one thing that defines me tho, and I'll have to point it out, its in
my closet and its clinging to my clothes...its animal fur. I couldn't
live without them, and they are my definition

I don't define myself with materialist things.

Besides I don't have that much anyway-lol.

I really don't care what people think of me when they look at

me. I try to be a good person- I guess that is what defines me.


(side note: jj still so sorry... nice to meet you)

Dang it...lol..that woulda been "approach"...{{{insert embarrassment
simile here}}

Sorry,

*I am perceived as eccentric, NOW, not having all these 'things'..giving
them all away, for a simplistic and soulful life.*