BE WHO YOU ARE
Choosing to be who we are is essential to how we live our lives. We cannot experience integrity, peace, wellbeing, good relationships, and ultimate success if we do not intentionally manifest our true selves. Identity crisis moments can occur at any stage in life, but they are often more prevalent (understandably) in our earliest decades of life. During those times, how we frame the problem and how we approach these matters are incredibly important. Steve Jobs spoke to that point when he addressed the Stanford University graduating class on June 12, 2005. Although over 10 years have passed since that speech, his words still speak to us today (Mark Glassman, ed., “Commencement Wisdom 2015,” Bloomberg Businessweek , 6/1/15–6/7/15, p. 25):
“ Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. . . .
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. ”
The idea here is to recognize the irreplaceable gift you have with your unique life and therefore live it to its fullest. Jobs’ advice is just as important for a college graduate of 22 as it is for anyone of any age today.
Be who you are meant to be. You—and everyone else—will be enriched.
