Random thoughts - Who am I?

Hi all :) 

Disclaimer : This post is very abstract; not intended to make you feel sleepy, bored or leave you feeling "meh". If so, heartfelt apologies ;)

Let me ask you to name something that you feel is your identity, something that defines you as a person. Different answers - "thoughtful", "teacher", "optimist", "independent", "funny", "leader", "beautiful" etc are possible. The answers depend on what a person feels about oneself, what is that striking characteristic in him / her that overpowers the rest. 

Do you hold on to that trait all the time?

Mostly no.

Then, is that your identity? Does that define you?

What if you get rid of that trait?

Will you not survive? 

Sure you will. 

Then, is that your identity? Does that define you?

Before you tag this post philosophical or spiritual, let me clarify that am trying to figure this out at a very worldly level. Say for instance, a very fun loving person cracking up jokes all the time decides not to be funny all of a sudden. She / He will surely live. Whether not being funny affects the person at an emotional level? Sure yes, but that will dissipate as time flies. I had always felt that having a professional front, being a teacher especially is my identity. But situations needed me to quit work. I was too apprehensive and was brooding over it for more than a year. Got immense clarity of what is to be done in a magical two weeks and with that, i submitted my resignation. I still live and happily too (though i miss the reciprocation from students and small talks with peers). 

Nothing in this world "defines" a person. The traits we possess are those which we acquire over time to adapt to the situations we face. Situations change, so do our 'traits'. So to repeatedly stress over the absence of something in you, is not necessary. And it is not that you cannot be _____ at all. An eminent psychiatrist says that any particular characteristic of a person can be changed, it is just a matter of the person's willingness, time and environment. 

Never stress over that which you are not. Just walk towards it and you become that one day, eventually.