So we meet a lot of interesting people right? Including many different cultures. And it seems the more you dare to become independent from your culture, the more you stand the chance of loosing your identity. Does that mean that culture and society is a prerequisite of forming an identity of our own? Who are you REALLY without your "gang"?
Here is a list of things that I have done for the sake of cultural acceptance to date: (lol)!
1. I have eaten the leg of a Tarantula Spider. Yes. A spider. (By way the way, it tastes like chicken).
2. Stuffed down meals that is way too big for my tummy to comprehend. Never mind digest.
3. Stuck more cash than I could afford to a bride's wedding dress.
4. Ate a bowl of worms. Yep.
5. Saw a sheep's head bake in a oven, it's dead eyes filled with terror.
6. Choked on stink cheese worse than the stuff we see on Fear Factor
7. Sniffed a whiskey down my nose (I kid you not)
And many more that is too crazy to mention. Blush.
So all of this is fun right, and brilliant experiences to have. That is not the point. The question is this: 'if we are so quick to adapt our behaviour in order to be accepted by other cultures, how much are we not adapting our daily identities to fit the cultural background (and sometimes harsh judgement!) of the culture within which we grew up?'
My guess is: A LOT
If an identity is formed by the exposure to one culture, one custom, one belief system, one background, how much of YOU is really ever discovered - or left in it? Do you even spend enough time with yourself to ask these critical questions, or do you just surpress your true self further by becoming the 'perfect child', 'good person' or 'hard worker' that family and friends expect you to be?
What do you want? Who are you really? If you weren't doing anything, who would you be?
When we couch we tell people that their value system is more important than goals. A good start to finding yourself is to ask what you truly value in life. Is it family? Safety? Respect from others? Words of appreciation or perhaps a postive attitude? How can you ever know what you want (re. have goals), if you are clueless about who you are and what you value.
Do this each time you are asked to make important decisions in your life. Look at your palm, touch the points of your fingers and rub over the unique identity that's been given to you - and only you - no one else. Then ask yourself why you are choosing this solution or option.
For you?
Or for someone else?