Identity Theft

"Identity is theft of the self"  ~ Estee Martin

I love finding quotes like this.

So much is being said in so few words.  And for me, this quote nails it on the head (or bangs me on the head, whichever).

This past weekend I had the opportunity to sit with an intuitive and she offered me a message.  The message was "you are already so successful and there will be plenty more of that ahead".

I thought about this message for a while.  It made me happy (of course) and at the same time I questioned it. 

My bank account certainly does not scream SUCCESS.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my idea of success is so tightly wound up in my career choice and making money that it has become my identity.

This identity has brought me lots of stress.  It has put me in a place of panic and worry in some moments.

It's not all bad though, of course.  I love what I do, that's why I keep doing it!

What I have figured out though, is by attaching to this particular identity (or any identity for that matter), it takes me away from my self.  That true part of my being that wants to relax and enjoy the ride, not fret and worry about how many workshops I have planned or whether or not I will bring in some extra cashola for the family.

True success (and yes I have blogged about this many times before, somehow I think we all need a reminder today) comes from just being.  And I'm pretty good at being, except when I'm not.

Identifying strongly with an occupation, title or purpose has felt like someone stole my true identity, there have been moments of feeling a bit lost and confused, like someone erased my memory of who I was.

Do you ever feel like this?

This 'aha' moment has been like discovering the sacred 'reset' button of life.  It's brought me back to myself where I can check in and see where I need to let go of this identity a little bit (okay, a lot!), so that the real me can shine through, more brilliantly than usual.

Today, I adopt the motto "identification NOT required".  No more placing myself in a box with a label.  No more losing myself in what it is I 'do'.  It's time to lose myself in who it is I am 'being'.