Am I the only one or does anyone else feel like we live in a swirl of nonsense? Seriously, how much of the information thrown at us today really matters or is even true? And is our never-ending quest for self-discovery simply a symptom of a global identity crisis caused by listening to the media’s increasingly distorted ideas about what we’re supposed to think, feel, believe, value, look like, act like etc?
We’re constantly taking quizzes and assessments; trying to be the same, yet different; groping for some label that helps us make sense of who we are. Are we hoping to gain some assurance or confirmation that we’re okay and somehow fit in this nonsensical whirlwind of tripe?
No judgement. I do it too… I’m a personality theory enthusiast and a student of human behavior. But I do believe our constant quest to define ourselves is symptomatic of the fact that we lack clarity about who we truly are.
We’ve Gotta Have a Label, Yet We Hate Our Labels
Isn’t the root of the whole “racist” thing about defining ourselves? Trying to have your own group, yet be different from another group? #BlackLivesMatter … yes they do… #ALLLivesMatter. Why must we constantly segment ourselves in some quest to define ourselves? I watched a video today where a minister said, “I love people of all colors. You’ve never been a slave and I’ve never owned one, so we can get along.”
Why are we hanging onto century-old offenses? Isn’t that the root of the whole Muslim-Christian-Jew conflict as well? No matter how many times Christians choose to turn the other cheek, centuries of hatred is baked in to some people. Do we still want to be telling the Civil War story a thousand years from now and using it as an excuse for hating someone of another color?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone could forgive and move on? Why can’t we take responsibility for who we ARE TODAY and stop blaming the past or other people for our problems?
This Is Why Trump Is So Popular
I’m not a Trump fan. I think he’s crass and rude. If he had the diplomacy, kindness and decency of Ben Carson, I just might vote for him.
I will give Trump this — he isn’t controllable. And he says whatever he dang well pleases. Which makes him the poster child for a large group of Americans who are fed up with being told how to think, feel, believe, or what they’re supposed to value, look like or act like. THAT is why Trump is so popular. As John Baldwin, a used-car dealer from Greenville, SC said: “We’re voting with our middle finger.”
It’s a shame that Americans have been pushed to the point that they must vote in anger and rebellion than with level heads, common decency and moral fiber. It’s a shame that good men are passed over because they aren’t loud and crass enough to make a stir.
There IS A Global Identity Crisis
It’s obvious that Americans have forgotten who they are, yet they’re tired of being smashed into a box that they know they don’t belong in. They’re looking anywhere and everywhere for identity – labels, political candidates, the media, government and Facebook quizzes. And yet, we buck the same labels we slap on ourselves.
We’re never going to find the answers in these places. I believe Jan Verhoeff and Leisa Olson brought out two important principles that are the answer for what ails America:
“I fully believe we have a global identity crisis. All of the political, non-political, grasping for rights, fighting for land, and trying to hold onto stuff indicates a major crisis in identity. I believe it has to do with our lack of understanding about who God is [and] why we are here. I also believe we have misplaced our power. We have God given power and gifts of the Holy Spirit that we could be using, yet we don’t. We have lost our authority, because we don’t know what it is.” – Jan Verhoeff
“I see many in the world, me included, too wrapped up in self. When we understand that we just are… And stop searching, and we reach out to bring joy to others, stop the judgement and live our lives doing good we would ‘find’ ourselves. Walls need to be removed, be happy and grateful, love without limits, smile and converse with one another regardless of appearances, embrace each other as a unique creation that we are. The human race is like snorkelling in the Bahamas… Soooo many beautiful and colourful fish all swimming together. We love the array of variety, we don’t judge one fish over another, we marvel at their individual beauty. Let’s do the same with our beautiful human race. What can I do today to bring joy to someone?” – Leisa Olson
Until and unless we look to God for our identity, for answers and personal power, we’re going to continue to be hammered on every side by a swirl of lies, labels and lunacy. And until we stop worrying about ourselves and start reaching out in kind and loving ways to others, we will continue to be self-absorbed and lost.
Well then, having said that, I’m off to vote for someone who probably won’t win, but who, at the end of the day allows me to feel that I have honored my integrity, my values, common decency and human kindness.
About Marnie Pehrson Kuhns
Marnie Pehrson Kuhns is a Certified SimplyAlign Practitioner™ who uses music and creativity to mentor you past barriers, fears and doubts to discover, create, align with, and deliver your soul’s song (the mission, message or purpose you are on this earth to live). Marnie is a best-selling author with 31 fiction and nonfiction titles. If you'd like Marnie and her husband Dave to work with you personally on Your Great Reinvention, get a FREE 20-minute strategy session with Marnie here.
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