Mis-Taken Identity

I had a pretty incredible realization the other day. It came while I was pondering one of my favorite expressions. It's an Assyrian proverb that says: 'Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are.' This powerful piece of wisdom was the genesis for the following thought: That if we are simply the sum total of everything that has come into us through our experiences and our associations with others than what makes us unique is nothing more than a complex combination of outside influences. If one could strip away the layers of experiences and impressions of others, ever delving deeper and deeper into ourselves, we would ultimately find...nothing. A great open void. Like a clear blue sky with nothing to obstruct our view. You might find this idea comforting. You might find it quite disturbing. I took this line of thinking one step further. If we are merely a collection of pieces of other people then, conversely, the people you associate with are a collection of pieces of the people they know...including you. So if all you are is a collection of other people and other people are a collection of you, then in actuality more of what makes you you resides outside of yourself in the hearts and minds of those around you as opposed to residing inside of you. I'm not quite sure how this should affect the way we act, but in the very least it should make us realize the incredible impact we have on those around us each and every day. Even when we don't think anyone is watching.