Comments on: Who Am I? (Part 1) http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/ Personal Development Life Lessons Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:35:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Kat Eden http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13185 Kat Eden Tue, 26 May 2009 08:53:51 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13185 The thing that scares me is not so much that people might/will define me by what I do or my behaviours, but that I define myself and therefore allow others to pigeon-hole me based on my own confidence or lack thereof.<br /><br />We've all met someone who doesn't fit the stereotype of 'attractive' and yet has such a warm personality and is just so darn happy within themself that we find them attractive after all. And it can work the other way as well. <br /><br />Same rule applies for the 'where do you live' - definitely an easy one to judge. I'm the first to admit I was so happy to get away from Melbourne's western suburbs after living there for a year - not because there was anything for my home, but just because I had an idea that it wasn't 'the place to be'. And yet I've met people from Melbourne's far west who are incredibly successful in property and stocks and exude that success in both their behaviour and pattern.<br /><br />At the end of the day, can't we just do create whichever image we desire and let that be our perception?<br /><br />Now the trick is just seeing past our own insecurities to do that! The thing that scares me is not so much that people might/will define me by what I do or my behaviours, but that I define myself and therefore allow others to pigeon-hole me based on my own confidence or lack thereof.

We’ve all met someone who doesn’t fit the stereotype of ‘attractive’ and yet has such a warm personality and is just so darn happy within themself that we find them attractive after all. And it can work the other way as well.

Same rule applies for the ‘where do you live’ – definitely an easy one to judge. I’m the first to admit I was so happy to get away from Melbourne’s western suburbs after living there for a year – not because there was anything for my home, but just because I had an idea that it wasn’t ‘the place to be’. And yet I’ve met people from Melbourne’s far west who are incredibly successful in property and stocks and exude that success in both their behaviour and pattern.

At the end of the day, can’t we just do create whichever image we desire and let that be our perception?

Now the trick is just seeing past our own insecurities to do that!

]]> By: Craig Harper http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13152 Craig Harper Mon, 25 May 2009 11:40:27 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13152 Hey Guys - thanks for sharing your considerable thoughts... (( )) Hey Guys – thanks for sharing your considerable thoughts… (( ))

]]> By: CJisFINDINGit http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13150 CJisFINDINGit Mon, 25 May 2009 02:52:06 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13150 Is the I AM question a question that is there to differentiate us from others? or just to give us the peace of mind in knowing that one integral thing about ourselves?<br /><br /><br />Maybe if we take everything else away we are a spark. (Though I guess that doesn't really answer anything.) <br /><br />It amazes me that when a baby is conceived that those two cells come together and then this little spark of energy/electricity is what causes those cells to mutiply and create a new person. <br /><br />I believe that spark came from somewhere, is the me that I am while here then goes back to "wherever" when my body dies.<br /><br />Very obtuse and probably not helpful but still my point of view and is what gives me peace of mind.<br /><br />Looking forward to your next installment Craig, I am here to learn.<br /><br />CJ Is the I AM question a question that is there to differentiate us from others? or just to give us the peace of mind in knowing that one integral thing about ourselves?

Maybe if we take everything else away we are a spark. (Though I guess that doesn’t really answer anything.)

It amazes me that when a baby is conceived that those two cells come together and then this little spark of energy/electricity is what causes those cells to mutiply and create a new person.

I believe that spark came from somewhere, is the me that I am while here then goes back to “wherever” when my body dies.

Very obtuse and probably not helpful but still my point of view and is what gives me peace of mind.

Looking forward to your next installment Craig, I am here to learn.

CJ

]]> By: Sandradeon http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13149 Sandradeon Mon, 25 May 2009 02:18:53 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13149 Hi Craig!<br /><br />Funny you should mention those annoying 'getting to know you' questions that adults always seem to ask! I really hate those! My answers, however truthful, tend to make others uncomfortable.<br /><br />Q. What kind of work do you do?<br />A. I'm not working right now.<br /><br />Their 'oh' is followed by a rather confused look. They can't understand why that doesn't bother me, and how I just picked up the $50 check for lunch. That line of questioning isn't going to generate much conversation. So, onto the next popular topic:<br /><br />Q. You mentioned your kids. Are you married?<br />A. No.<br />Q. Divorced?<br />A. No.<br /><br />Again, the confusion.<br /><br />A. Widowed.<br /><br />'Oh.' Silence. 'I'm sorry.' Silence. Then, the question I dread the most: <br /><br />Q. How did he die? Was he ill?'<br />A. No.<br />Q. An accident?<br />A. No.<br /><br />More confusion.<br /><br />A. Suicide.<br /><br />Another 'oh' usually followed by that 'I should shut up now' look.<br /><br />Now they don't know what to say. I'm not uncomfortable with my circumstances. On the contrary, I'm enjoying life! (And that confuses them even more!) But I do feel bad that I've made them uncomfortable.<br /><br />I don't volunteer this information, but if they push for answers, I'm not going to hide it. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I'd just rather avoid making people feel uncomfortable.<br /><br />So, they've asked the standard 'getting to know you' questions, gotten answers they were totally unprepared for, have determined that we have nothing in common, are now inclined to feel sorry for me (another reason I hate answering those questions!), and still don't know a damn thing about me!<br /><br />CRAIG! That could be a great idea for a follow-up article! Challenge your readers to submit their ideas, and compile a NEW set of 'getting to know you' questions!<br /><br />Wouldn't THAT rattle the cage of 'society'? How dare we change the questions?<br /><br />I like the way you challenge me to think! Keep it up!<br /><br />From across the pond,<br /><br />Sandra in Virginia, US Hi Craig!

Funny you should mention those annoying ‘getting to know you’ questions that adults always seem to ask! I really hate those! My answers, however truthful, tend to make others uncomfortable.

Q. What kind of work do you do?
A. I’m not working right now.

Their ‘oh’ is followed by a rather confused look. They can’t understand why that doesn’t bother me, and how I just picked up the $50 check for lunch. That line of questioning isn’t going to generate much conversation. So, onto the next popular topic:

Q. You mentioned your kids. Are you married?
A. No.
Q. Divorced?
A. No.

Again, the confusion.

A. Widowed.

‘Oh.’ Silence. ‘I’m sorry.’ Silence. Then, the question I dread the most:

Q. How did he die? Was he ill?’
A. No.
Q. An accident?
A. No.

More confusion.

A. Suicide.

Another ‘oh’ usually followed by that ‘I should shut up now’ look.

Now they don’t know what to say. I’m not uncomfortable with my circumstances. On the contrary, I’m enjoying life! (And that confuses them even more!) But I do feel bad that I’ve made them uncomfortable.

I don’t volunteer this information, but if they push for answers, I’m not going to hide it. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’d just rather avoid making people feel uncomfortable.

So, they’ve asked the standard ‘getting to know you’ questions, gotten answers they were totally unprepared for, have determined that we have nothing in common, are now inclined to feel sorry for me (another reason I hate answering those questions!), and still don’t know a damn thing about me!

CRAIG! That could be a great idea for a follow-up article! Challenge your readers to submit their ideas, and compile a NEW set of ‘getting to know you’ questions!

Wouldn’t THAT rattle the cage of ‘society’? How dare we change the questions?

I like the way you challenge me to think! Keep it up!

From across the pond,

Sandra in Virginia, US

]]> By: Cdn friend http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13148 Cdn friend Mon, 25 May 2009 02:01:00 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13148 I can get very tired from trying to figure this stuff out - I have gone in circles on a number of occasions trying to uncover the "real me". It's not like peeling an onion to uncover the layers; it's determining if the onion actually exists...<br /><br />Do dogs know the answer? Because they sure don't seem stressed about this stuff... I can get very tired from trying to figure this stuff out – I have gone in circles on a number of occasions trying to uncover the “real me”. It’s not like peeling an onion to uncover the layers; it’s determining if the onion actually exists…

Do dogs know the answer? Because they sure don’t seem stressed about this stuff…

]]> By: Edith http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13147 Edith Mon, 25 May 2009 00:15:40 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13147 Eckhart Tolle is actually paraphrasing one of the world's great philosophers - René Descartes - whose most famous statement is: Cogito ergo sum (Latin)(French: Je pense, donc je suis; (Usually translated in English as: I think, therefore I am, but can be less ambiguously translated as: I am thinking, therefore I exist...<br />Thanks for the encouragement to get on with the thinking Craig, while we still have the I AMness. Eckhart Tolle is actually paraphrasing one of the world’s great philosophers – René Descartes – whose most famous statement is: Cogito ergo sum (Latin)(French: Je pense, donc je suis; (Usually translated in English as: I think, therefore I am, but can be less ambiguously translated as: I am thinking, therefore I exist…
Thanks for the encouragement to get on with the thinking Craig, while we still have the I AMness.

]]> By: Nat http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13146 Nat Sun, 24 May 2009 22:33:48 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13146 Craig, you're a walking, talking, writing thesaurus....."speculate, theorise, hypothesize, philosophise, rationalise and argue".....I love it!!<br /><br />Nothing like feeding your brain. I'll be thinking a lot about your comments today.<br /><br />Rex, that is a great comment by you're brother's coach. I'll definietly remember that one. <br /><br />Nat (happy country chick) Craig, you’re a walking, talking, writing thesaurus…..”speculate, theorise, hypothesize, philosophise, rationalise and argue”…..I love it!!

Nothing like feeding your brain. I’ll be thinking a lot about your comments today.

Rex, that is a great comment by you’re brother’s coach. I’ll definietly remember that one.

Nat (happy country chick)

]]> By: honeyeater http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13145 honeyeater Sun, 24 May 2009 22:19:27 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13145 We are alive, we have breath, we have consciousness, we have choice, we have a body to use as a tool...quite amazing stuff. I reflect on my state every day and I can only think..."What the?"<br />Just how often as we dither and dather through life, do we hold the preciousness of being...of being just the 'I AM'.<br />To describe myself in any other way is to merely present myself as a byproduct of comparison, nothing else. To do so,I live in a constant of conflict and unrest within, for I am judging my persona as a result of a feeling of lack, as compared to something or someone else. My sense of self worth is dependent upon the critique of others and how I place myself in the scheme of that evolving critique.<br />Yet, we are all the same beings, with breath, consciousness,choice and a body with a heartbeat.<br />Thoughts, beliefs, feelings and emotions interfere with the purity and force of our being. Every living being has the privilege of being anchored to that magical force...what a gift. Until thought and belief and emotion create the distraction to the I AM.<br />Expectations of others, and my expectations, create the dislocation at an early age.<br />Our mission in life is to cut through the disconnect and get back in touch with the purity of spirit within us all, at any given moment.<br />The journey begins with my gift of choice, a choice to lay aside the comparison and expectation, to return to the state that I am wrapped in at any moment...the I AM <br />That state is there within at any time.<br />The most difficult part is catching a glimmer of that presence. Yet I am a cell of it, so is it so difficult to feel one with the whole? <br />Beliefs are challenging to morph.<br />But the power of the I AM comes to the fore of my consciousness to fan the journey...what more do I need?<br />Zilch! We are alive, we have breath, we have consciousness, we have choice, we have a body to use as a tool…quite amazing stuff. I reflect on my state every day and I can only think…”What the?”
Just how often as we dither and dather through life, do we hold the preciousness of being…of being just the ‘I AM’.
To describe myself in any other way is to merely present myself as a byproduct of comparison, nothing else. To do so,I live in a constant of conflict and unrest within, for I am judging my persona as a result of a feeling of lack, as compared to something or someone else. My sense of self worth is dependent upon the critique of others and how I place myself in the scheme of that evolving critique.
Yet, we are all the same beings, with breath, consciousness,choice and a body with a heartbeat.
Thoughts, beliefs, feelings and emotions interfere with the purity and force of our being. Every living being has the privilege of being anchored to that magical force…what a gift. Until thought and belief and emotion create the distraction to the I AM.
Expectations of others, and my expectations, create the dislocation at an early age.
Our mission in life is to cut through the disconnect and get back in touch with the purity of spirit within us all, at any given moment.
The journey begins with my gift of choice, a choice to lay aside the comparison and expectation, to return to the state that I am wrapped in at any moment…the I AM
That state is there within at any time.
The most difficult part is catching a glimmer of that presence. Yet I am a cell of it, so is it so difficult to feel one with the whole?
Beliefs are challenging to morph.
But the power of the I AM comes to the fore of my consciousness to fan the journey…what more do I need?
Zilch!

]]> By: Craig Harper http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13144 Craig Harper Sun, 24 May 2009 22:01:38 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13144 Hi Guys - I'm away doing a gig for most of today but I'll catch you (and all your comments) later... cheers. ( ) Hi Guys – I’m away doing a gig for most of today but I’ll catch you (and all your comments) later… cheers. ( )

]]> By: kathtoms http://www.craigharper.com.au/personal-development/who-am-i-part-1/#comment-13143 kathtoms Sun, 24 May 2009 21:50:57 +0000 http://www.craigharper.com.au/news/who-am-i-part-1-2/#comment-13143 I agree with I AM! <br /><br />I am now, I am living, I AM!<br /><br />Yes I love and enjoy my physical reality as well however that is only part of it and we all KNOW this as we feel it if not have experienced it! <br /><br />My body is not the same one day to the next no matter either are those little things that make me me as intense as I may be this can create great joy and great pain! No matter how much I try reality if formidable and forever changing ... which is why I relate to I AM NOW.. forever changing yet now I AM. I agree with I AM!

I am now, I am living, I AM!

Yes I love and enjoy my physical reality as well however that is only part of it and we all KNOW this as we feel it if not have experienced it!

My body is not the same one day to the next no matter either are those little things that make me me as intense as I may be this can create great joy and great pain! No matter how much I try reality if formidable and forever changing … which is why I relate to I AM NOW.. forever changing yet now I AM.

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