Imagine your behaviours as a mirror that reflects who you truly are. Just like your clothes, hairstyle, and how you talk express a part of your identity, your actions and choices showcase even more about who you are.
Think of your identity as a puzzle, and each behaviour you show is like a unique puzzle piece. Your actions form a picture of who you are as you interact with the world. Just as a puzzle piece can’t be forced to fit where it doesn’t belong, your behaviours can’t hide your true identity. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying,” meaning that our actions are more important than our words. Our actions are a reflection of our true selves. We can say whatever we want, but our actions always tell the truth. If you want to be taken seriously, ensuring that your actions match your words is vital.
Furthermore, the behaviours you show the world are like the tip of an iceberg – visible but only a tiny part of the whole. The greater part of the iceberg, hidden beneath the water’s surface, represents your thoughts, feelings, values, and beliefs. While people see your actions, they might not understand the deeper aspects of your identity unless you let them. Julien Green reminds us: “The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart”, meaning that the most important journey we can take is the one within ourselves to explore our hearts and minds. We learn more about ourselves by looking inward than by looking outward. It is crucial to take time for self-reflection to explore our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Have you ever noticed patterns in your behaviour? These patterns can reveal your true inclinations and passions. If you consistently help others, it might mean that kindness is essential to who you are. Pay attention to the things you do repeatedly – they’re like signposts guiding you toward your identity. As Aristotle tells us: “Excellence is not an act, but a habit”, meaning that excellence is not something we achieve once and for all. But it is something that we must practice and develop over time; we become excellent by doing excellent things and develop good habits by doing things consistently. It is important to remember that excellence takes effort. We must be willing to practice and persevere to achieve our goals.
Have you ever imagined your identity as a garden? The seeds you plant (your thoughts) lead to the actions you take (your behaviours), and with time, they grow into the flowers and trees that represent your identity. As gardeners care for their plants, you can nurture positive behaviours to create a beautiful identity. Louise Hay reminds us: “Your life is a garden; your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds.” It means that our thoughts have a powerful impact on our lives because we create our reality with our thoughts. It means if we think positive thoughts, we will create a positive life. But if we think negative thoughts, we will create a negative life. It is important to remember that we have the power to choose our thoughts. Choose to think positive thoughts that will create a beautiful and bountiful life.
Moreover, your surroundings greatly influence your behaviours, like a chameleon adapting to its environment. The people you spend time with, the social media you consume, and the places you frequent shape your behaviour. Awareness of these influences can help you make conscious choices about the behaviours you want to adopt. Edmund Lee said: “Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and the thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” It tells us to surround ourselves with people who inspire us to be our best selves. We are all capable of greatness but need the right people, dreamers, doers, believers, and thinkers, to help us see it.
So, your behaviours are the windows into your identity, offering insights into your thoughts,feelings, values, and character. Just as a painter expresses their emotions through brush strokes, you communicate who you are through the canvas of your actions. Use the power you have to shape your behaviours and, in turn, define your unique identity in a world waiting to discover the masterpiece that is you.
Oscar Wilde says: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Reminding us to be true to ourselves and not try to be someone we’re not. If you want to be happy and fulfilled, be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. The world needs more people who are themselves.