Peeling off the labels

"Others can give you a name or a number, but they can never tell you who you really are. That is something you yourself can discover from within." - Thomas Merton

From the day we are born we begin accumulating labels.

We are each assigned a name in which we had no say and numbers that identify us as "individuals."

Then, while we are still young and open, we are given many opinions of "who" we are, even without our requesting them. Such is the process of becoming a human being in our culture.

None of this is either good or bad. It simply means that from an early age "who" we believe ourselves to be is actually defined by others.

The numbers, i.e. your Social Security number, we are pretty much stuck with as markers for identification. However, the labels, called "opinions," we could lose tomorrow if we determine they don't serve us well today.

Isn't it good to know that as we become adults and mature spiritually we can choose to shed labels that don't honor who we discover our real selves to be?

One of the most empowering moments is when we realize that we did not always have absolute control over what went into our minds as children, but as adults, we do.

At any given moment we can choose to reject the opinions that others may have of us. Many of us grew up with mistaken identities- labels may have been placed on us that read "not enough"- not pretty enough, smart enough, athletic enough, tall enough, skinny enough, educated enough, rich enough, etc.

The spiritual reality is that, without your consent, no one can stick a label on you in a manner that you buy into.

As we awaken to this awareness we have the opportunity to redefine ourselves from the inside out. When we discover our true identity, the only opinion that will matter is our own.

What is your real identity? Underneath all of the labels, who are you really?

In truth, who you are and who you have always been is an individualized creation and expression of the one God. This is not an opinion; it's a spiritual reality.

An awareness of this brings with it all the "enough-ness" you'll ever need. In other words, knowing you are one with the Infinite means you are enough now.

As a mindfulness practice this week, make a commitment to be aware of how you label yourself today. Explore any areas of your life where you may be drawing your identity from the opinions of others.

Do you need to be told you look nice today or that you did a good job on that project?

Find a mirror and look right into the eyes of that divine being looking back at you and realize therein lies the only opinion that truly matters.

Peel off the labels- you'll literally love what you find.

Dennis Merritt Jones is the spiritual director for OneSpirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley. Visit him at www.DennisMerrittJones.com or at www.OneSpirit.org.