Ehtesham Abbas
Sep 4, 2018 · 2 min read

While the entire world is focusing on perspectives, the relativity of reality, the reality is that the single most important question is “How we see ourselves” which in turn determines how we see the world and our role in it. Everything else is an automated wave of trajectories guiding us to what we think was destined rather than a conscious decision of our own.

All of us have multiple identities. The broader ones include, Nationality, Religion, Gender, Family/Tribe/Ethnicity, City, Profession, Prime Interest, Family Role (Father, Husband, Brother etc.)

The minor ones can be innumerable. For example all the institutes that I have attended (Students of Oxford). All the products I have used (iPhone Users). All the important subjects I like (Students of Physics), or even the people I follow (Fans of Michael Jackson).

The identities which are important to us, determine the trajectory of our life. For example if the most important broader identity to me is that of a Brother of say 5 sisters, it will be reflected in all the responsibilities that I tend to fulfill as a result of it. In other words, how I see myself determined most of my life track. And yes it keeps changing if not on weekly basis, it can change on monthly and yearly basis.

The preference of minor identity determined our minor decisions, the type of people I might like to interact with. The things I want to be associated with. The things I will like to wear and listen to etc. For example If I am openly announcing to be a “Michael Jackson Fan” it says multiple things about me. I like music, I like Pop Music.

The identities which are important to you get stronger, bigger and most prominent with you with time. The ones not important to you, remain in the back burner, gradually fizzle out, as if you never had one. So the next time your brain whispers “Who are you” try chosing broad ones that make you rise above narrow conduits and lead you to broader highways.

Ehtesham Abbas

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People call me Thinker. Thinkers call me Rebel.