Fit in the City - Leigh Ann Root
What's the definition of you?
Yeah, I drive a mini-van, but this doesn't define who I am. Some people actually think that what they drive can have that much power, that's crazy. The reality is, a car is just a thing. Material objects are just stuff, it has nothing to do with who a person is. The vehicle a person drives cannot define them any more than where they live, what label is on their clothing, or how big their jewelry is. A person's character is determined by people's actions not what they have. Wouldn't you agree? I believe that people's actions define them. Their beliefs define them. Their morals define them. How they take care of themselves and how they treat others define them. These are the real judges of character. Material "stuff" only distracts us from seeing a person's true self, that is, if we allow it to. Some times you have to look beyond the glits & glitter or someone's rough exterior to see what a person is really all about.
Not too long ago I heard a statement, "If you really want to know the truth about a person, watch how they treat a waiter or waitress". This is both true and a brilliant way to see what a person is about. Think about how you treat someone who's serving you food. Think about the last time you had the misfortune of dining with someone who felt the need to feel superior. You know that type of person, they're quick to put others down, in order to feel bigger. Now that's a defining moment and it had nothing to do with what type of car they drove to the restaurant in! It's all about people's actions. Some try to act self-confident, other's try to buy it, while some are just plain comfortable in their own skin and treat others as equals and with respect.
What do you value in yourself or in others? Is it characteristics or materialistic. Is it me, or are people still "trying to keep up with the Joneses"? It seems to be more extreme than ever, many living beyond their means. Bigger cars, expensive houses, more stuff and more debt. Many looking at this as a way to define who they are. The "stuff" can begin to clutter our sense of reality, if we allow it. I like some nice things, too, don't get me wrong. It's about having a healthy balance in our lives. Just like our physical health, our mental health needs to be kept in check all the time. It's about keeping things in perspective and staying true to who we are. Deep down, we know who we are. We need to celebrate our uniqueness and individuality, without regret or reservation. This is what keeps life interesting and exciting.
At the end of the day, "stuff" doesn't change who people are. It doesn't improve our character or integrity. It doesn't make a person dependable, reliable, dedicated, friendly, trustworthy, humble, honest, honorable, intellectual, courteous, courageous, notable, gracious, enjoyable, likable, lovable, or even nice. Just a few character traits which are attractive and worth striving for, but only attainable by people's actions. This is what distinguishes people.
People should not allow what others say or think about them to define them either. No one should ever let this happen. A dear friend once said to me, "It's none of your business what someone thinks or says about you." How true! Words to live by. By not allowing yourself to worry about senseless things like this, you will save yourself from having a lot of negativity in your life. The only way to fend off criticism is to be nothing and do nothing!
I won't get into the details of why I love my mini van so much. Let's just say, it's a "cool" fit for me, but not a definition of me. I'd rather be defined by how I live, instead of what I drive!
