Identify Yourself

I've been spending some time by myself lately and it's gotten me wondering if we can form our identity alone.   Most of our ideas are formed when we are challenged by others' thinking, no? Remember when Tom Hanks' character in Cast Away created his friend Wilson?  Wasn't he in need of reflection?  Certainly he needed a place to share his feelings, his sense of loss, his search for his identity.  I know how deeply I consider the opinions of those I respect. I like to look at various perspectives to help confirm my own.  Perhaps that is why I was always drawn to theatre when I was young.  The variety of characters and their corresponding behaviors and thought processes helped me define myself.  They helped me weed out the parts I was not and the parts that I was.  In the real world, we have an opportunity to build off of others through observation, dialogue and consideration.  There comes a point where it is important to make choices.  We can't flounder forever in the shadow of others.  But, noticing the variety of ways one can say something, do something, interact with others...this we can and must do.  To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week (a separate weekly message), please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com