What do you consider your “identity?”
Many times when I ask this question, I usually get replies like this from women:
“I’m a mother,”
“I’m a wife,”
“I’m a boss,”
“I’m a business owner,”
or something in regards to their profession:
“I’m a teacher,”
“I’m a lawyer,”
“I’m a life coach.”
But these things are not your identity- they are your roles. Identity is not found in titles, positions, bank accounts, relationship or social status. Identity is your root. It is your authentic being.
You can think of it like this:
Imagine a tree. Your authentic core is like the root of that tree. Everything on that tree is connected to that core. The question is- are you watering your root?
The state of your root affects the trunk of the tree. Does your trunk stand solid and grounded? Or will the slightest rough weather snap it? Perhaps your trunk sways in the wind- shifting back and forth? Your roles are like the branches on that tree. They stem from your trunk.
How are your branches? Are they yielding fruit or withered leaves? What frequently happens is we put all of our focus on the branches. Those are the parts we see and what others see about us. We start to ignore the root. We ignore our true core. But it is there that your power lies. It is your authentic root that makes you the type of mother that you are, the type of wife, boss, sister, girlfriend, daughter and friend that you are. It makes you the woman that you are.
That root needs to be watered, nurtured and loved. Don’t get so caught up in your roles that you lose your identity. Focus on what lies deep beneath the surface. If you honor your authentic being and live from your root, just watch the positive effect it has on your branches and roles.
Most importantly, watch the fruit that you will yield within yourself, the fruits of passion, purpose, self-worth and self-love.
Photo Credit: nebojsa mladjenovic via Compfight.
