Comments on: Who Are You?

By: Julia Masi

Julia Masi — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:18:16 +0000

I am one of the world’s anonymous LADIES.

Leader
Activist
Daughter
Interested
Educated
Self-motivated

By: Shawna

Shawna — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:49:41 +0000

Oh so perfect. Aidan, you have a gift for story telling that illicits thoughtfulness. For me, who I am today is not who I was yesterday or who I will be next week. I am a work in progress, that will be finished only when I am. Cheers!

By: Belinda Munoz

Belinda Munoz — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:31:14 +0000

Aidan, you’re an exquisite storyteller.

For as long as we’re alive, we’re evolving. And I believe that each time we act and react, we define ourselves further; ever searching for belonging yet very rarely ever finding it completely.

It’s a free form dance with no choreography. A song with no pre-written lyrics or melody. A novel that writes and re-writes itself. Or so I think. Of course I’m only guessing. Aren’t we all…

By: Aisha

Aisha — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:26:56 +0000

Loved it!

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:36:43 +0000

I think who I am cannot be answered in a single phrase or even groups of phrases. The complex relationship between my religion, my philosophies, and my ideals dictate that no simple answer can be found. Yet, this doesn’t bother me. I feel safe in ambiguity.

The characters and this scene were stunningly portrayed. It makes me giddy to read your book.

By: Trece Wyman

Trece Wyman — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:28:46 +0000

Oh Aidan, your questions hurt.
Yes, I blog and read blogs and comment on blogs to figure out who I am. For so long, I have defined myself as a human doing, rather than as a human being, by what I did and for whom, rather than by sharing my essence. I have endlessly pointed out the ways in which I fall short of anyone’s and everyone’s expectations and standards.
Had I been the girl in the story, the man’s question and comment would have devastated me, leaving me ashamed, wordless and in tears.

By: P

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:55:56 +0000

Realizing this story triggered something in my memory, I’ve finally tripped over it! The caterpillar scene in Alice in Wonderland. A wonderful scene!

The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.

Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.”

“What do you mean by that?” said the Caterpillar, sternly. “Explain yourself!”

“I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, Sir,” said Alice, “because I’m not myself, you see.”

“I don’t see,” said the Caterpillar.

“I’m afraid I can’t put it more clearly,” Alice replied, very politely, “for I can’t understand it myself, to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.”

“It isn’t,” said the Caterpillar.

“Well, perhaps you haven’t found it so yet,” said Alice; “but when you have to turn into a chrysalis—you will some day, you know—and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you’ll feel it a little queer, won’t you?”

“Not a bit,” said the Caterpillar.

“Well, perhaps your feelings may be different,” said Alice: “all I know is, it would feel very queer to me.”

“You!” said the Caterpillar contemptuously. “Who are you?”

Which brought them back again to the beginning of the conversation.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:38:24 +0000

Kim,

That makes sense, but it begs the question of what is our essential identity. I have been a son for almost 41 years, a big brother for 39 and a father for almost 10.

Which of those are my essential identity? Or do I have to pick any.

By: T

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:05:09 +0000

I’ve had someone randomly ask me that before. We always define ourselves by what we do or what we’ve accomplished. I wrote a post about labels a while back…

I try to define myself the way I see others.

LOVE

We all are. We just forget sometimes.

By: D

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:50:50 +0000

At the risk of sounding extremely pedestrian, I know who I am. I am a wife, mother, litigator, public servant, loyal friend, style junkie/shopper extraordinaire, hopeless romantic, traveler, hair straightener/highlighter, runner, baker and ILI commenter! It doesn’t mean some of these may drop out along the way or that new things won’t be added. Who I am is constantly expanding and contracting and I think, getting better with age but I do know who I am. And I kinda like her. Great post!