UNDERSTAND YOUR IDENTITY AND GAIN SELF CONFIDENCE: ART OF CONNECTION WITH BELAL KHAN (VIDEO)

Source: muslimmatters.org

By: Belal Khan

John Hopkins basketball coach was quoted saying,

“People often fail because they give up what they want most for what they want now.”

The challenge that a lot of us have, especially growing up in the US and the times we live in today where there’s a lot of connection and communication, is answer the question, “What’s the identity that we want to adapt?”

Knowing the answer will lead to self confidence needed to stand for something.

There’s a Facebook page I follow called “Humans of New York,” which I thought nails the concept on its head, in referenced to the challenge mentioned above.

Humans of New York basically showcases stories and photos of people. Some of them are heart warming, others are sad, some are tragic, and others are quite inspiring.

What this one lady shared about her story was that when she was growing up was that she used to be a party girl. People would always tell her to “be herself.”

But, after growing up she realized that advice isn’t the best advice to share, considering one’s self, there’s a current self, and a future self that one aspires to be.

When told to “be yourself” is typically about being your current self, which could be contradictory to who you want to be in the future.

When it comes to identity, one can take it beyond that.

Identity is less about who you are now. Some people have this thought that they want to be authentic.

Yes, you absolutely want to be authentic.

But, what’s the reputation you want to establish about yourself?

What’s the legacy you want to leave that can be genuinely you, that’s rooted in a strength that you yourself have?

Additionally, go beyond that.

What is your standing and reputation going to be in the hereafter?

What’s going to be on the scale of deeds, when you present that for the way you lived life?

What’s the legacy you’re going to stand with on the day we know that there’s no doubt?

May you be blessed with peace, safety, security, and freedom. Now, and in the days to come.

I’ll see you soon!