The way we think and the way we spend our time defines who we are.

Often in life we are labelled by what we do, and not by who we are. A good example of this is a policeman, a nurse, a doctor, a shop keeper; people usually see them as being what they do, without any thought that they may also be a parent or someone’s son or daughter.

At one time I was a cub leader in the Scout Movement; I wore a uniform and was called Akela. To the twenty four boys in my pack, I was neither male nor female, just Akela. I had no personal identity other than their leader.

I have had many roles during my life; a mother, a wife, a sister, a beauty therapist just to name a few. These different roles were what I was to others; often in our busy lives we also lose sight of ourselves.

It is important to become comfortable with who we are. and to accept it.

If we take the time to look at what is attractive to us on the outside, we often realise what is important to us internally.

I love to create things, working with my imagination and my hands. I do a lot of craft work, I love learning new skills, I enjoy writing these blogs as well as writing stories about animals and the world as I see it.  Spending time with family and friends; these things are what make my life worthwhile.

I see myself as an artist, a creator and a writer. Often, defining who we are and the direction we choose to take, does not come without some criticism and setbacks. Without this fear there is no courage, and we all need courage to succeed in our life.

When it comes to deciding who we are and what we want to be, the final say is up to us. This does not mean that we cannot keep an open mind and a willingness to listen to good feedback, as this is how we grow.

Satya Nadella: ‘It’s our own ability to have an idea and go after the idea and make it happen. That’s what at the end of the day defines us.’

Hold yourself accountable in your own eyes and the eyes of others.

Learn not to compare with others, we are all different.

Work on accepting mistakes and choices you have made, they are done and in the past.

Self-awareness is important because when we have a better understanding of ourselves, we are able to experience ourselves as unique and separate individuals.

Never forget that no one but you can define you. You will always be the only one who can decide what you really are.

We are the decisions we make, not our thoughts, not even our beliefs, only our actions.

The final decision must be ours.

Be the person you were born to be, enjoy your life and define who you really are.

Oscar Wilde once said with his usual wit:

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”

– Nancy