I’m afraid that I had fallen prey to the prevailing thinking that… it’s what I do, not who I am. Stuff and nonsense. What you do is who you are. I think I became somewhat enamored with that phrase because of my math background which posited that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is one of those, true…. and yet. The point is that if it is what you are doing than it is who you are, at least at this point in time. Yet, it might not be the complete picture. Always remember that you really are more than the sum of your parts.
But referring to the what/who discussion, let me use myself as an example. I am a teacher. I have always been a teacher, even as a child. I loved the act of teaching, still do. I can’t think of a greater passion and lifestyle. However, I’m not currently teaching which is probably why I write. Thus the what hasn’t changed but the methodology has. If your ‘what’ is a passion, it will always be reflected in how you look at life, what defines who you are. And yet, what you do may not be the idealized form and definition of the word.
My kind of teaching is somewhat age specific – I’m really best with those who want to learn which is typically translated into graduate students or at least upperclass college students. As a teacher, my preferred method is teaching process rather than facts. My intent is to equip people to think, to continue growing and this requires a different approach than only teaching the facts. I ask questions, lots and lots of questions. Certainly you can learn ‘my’ facts, but you’ll soon forget them but if I teach you a method, a way of determining ‘facts’ then you won’t forget the process. While all this may sound quite meandering and structureless, it’s not. If you discover then you are more likely to retain.
For any style of teaching, the joy is seeing the ‘nickel drop’ in the eyes of the students. Their ‘ah ha’ moment is the teachers confirmation that they have successfully taught. This moment is always the proof. Regardless of what it is you are doing, does my example explain? Can you see your passion in what you do? Though it may not be obvious to all, does your what confirm your who? If your answers to those questions is ‘no’ then you have one of two things you need to do. One is to reassess your what so that it matches not just the image of who you see yourself but who you really are. Two is to reassess who you see yourself as and change what you are doing. Otherwise, you will be miserable. There’s a saying in scripture – that your gift will make a way for you. Your gift is your what. But you must contend for it.
…but, what do you think?
