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To Be or Not To Be an Identity
To be a novelist or short story writer, you first have to pretend to be a novelist or short story writer. — Charles Baxter
But love cannot come into being through any practice. It can come into being only when you cease to be, that is, when you are no longer concerned about yourself, your position, prestige, ambitions and frustrations, when you stop thinking about yourself completely. This occupation with oneself is the same, whether it be that of the man who is pursuing what he calls God, or working for a social revolution. A mind so occupied can never know what love is. — Krishnamurti
What is identity and is it even necessary? The answer to that question is probably yes when you’re young, but does an old person need to think about how others imagine them? Do they need to cultivate a persona in the world?
In my case as I approach eighty years old, I’m finding soul and meaning more interesting than identity.
I’m more attracted to universal meanings than personal advancement. I want to find something in myself that can contribute to life on earth. Not that I don’t care about being paid for my contributions. I do like to eat.
I put less and less energy into creating an image of myself that projects an edited version I prefer to show the world. Basic self respect keeps me clean and…
