The Potter's Wheel

The question, 'What define's you' is such a broad question. It requires both you and me to look deeper than the surface. To some, style and appearance define us, which it does, but that's just the tip of the 'defining yourself' iceberg. Defining who you are is deeper; it's visceral. It requires attention, dedication, effort, and, most importantly, time. When we define ourselves, we mature our sense of self. So, the first question I pose is, what defines you? Granted, I like to look on the deeper side of things, defining yourself also doesn't have to be deep, it can be light depending on the area that we are looking at.

Many of us think our mistakes define us. To be transparent, I believed that and, on some days, still do. It's hard not to think they don't define you when we are ridiculed or mocked for our mistakes instead of being educated lovingly. The majority of the time, when we make a mistake, we are so focused on what people will say, how people will react and fall victim to negative thinking. But usually, not often do we tend to ourselves. We don't give ourselves grace or reassurance that this is simply a mistake, and that's all it is. Why do we quickly jump to a detrimental negative response after an error rather than a loving, uplifting response?

Here's the gag, your mistakes don't define you; they don't make you. God made you, and he loves you. Our mistakes add to us. They challenge us to be better. It just depends on what we do with those mistakes. Do we sit and mope about it? Do we cry and withdraw from others? Do we beat ourselves up and punish ourselves? Or do we see it as an opportunity to grow and get better? Beating ourselves up after a mistake isn't the right way. It isn't even a nice thing to do; it's self-abuse. The second question I pose is a two-part: Up until now, how have you responded to making a mistake? How can we begin to view mistakes as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow rather than a sentence for judgment?

God has created us beautifully, and we have already been defined and set apart. However, living in the world, getting sidetracked and derailed from that identity is easy. To pick up other people's thinking, actions, and choices and call them our own is easy. This goes into the people we surround ourselves with, what we watch or listen to, or even our thoughts. These factors can fracture our perspective and definition of who we are. Lastly, the third question I pose is: Think of all the areas of your life, what is important to you, what do you choose, and what brings a smile to your face?

“You’ll never know who you are unless you shed who you pretend to be.” - Vironika Tugaleva,