I was on the train just like this old man, staring out the window, lost in my thoughts for the last weekend’s travel. It’s usual for thoughts to attack us with gun-pointing truths. This question, in particular, stayed with me for a longer period, and I was convincing myself of the best possible answer.
This is one of the unanswered questions. I am not quite certain whether it should be defined as qualitative or quantitative. I believe there is no universal definition, and people’s perceptions of themselves and others differ. Here is the conversation that I had with myself.
Is it appropriate to say “career” when the question is posed? Adulthood is spent working for the career we choose. Can a person be defined in this single bracket of being called a doctor, scientist, engineer, nurse, salesman, or day worker? What if the person changes their path to becoming something else? Then, it appears to be an ineffective metric.
How about the wealth and money possessed by an individual? Well, people who own a Porsche, LV, Chanel, Gucci, or Rolex, as well as a beach house or stocks, cannot be compared to those who are below the poverty line. This only addresses one aspect of life with money-making abilities and more materialistic possessions. Then, it can be included as a metric of survival or competitiveness, not for the above one.
Next, would it be better to adopt the trait of doing good to others? But here comes the paradox: There are no good or bad things in the world. Everything varies from person to person. Can I consider education or the degree possessed? There are people who are privileged to study what they want; some are forced by their parents; some are underprivileged. That, in my opinion, is an inappropriate option to include.
Recently, I’ve noticed people defining themselves by the number of followers they have on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, where only the highlights/better side of their lives are displayed. Can that be included as a metric? I’m not certain either.
Wouldn’t it be better if someone defined themselves by their actions, thoughts, feelings, passion, or dreams? They are all, however, in the past or the near future. They are susceptible to changes.
All of the above that is mentioned here is prone to change, and I am not here to say that change is permanent and blah, blah. What defines it if none of the above apply? When someone asks me the above question, a lot of things come to mind that I’m not entirely sure about.
Perhaps the way a person reacts in the present defines him, her, or them. Actions or reactions at the moment can be used to say whether that person has had a certain number of experiences. Whether positive or negative, one’s experiences shape and define one. I am not quite certain about it either yet convincing.
Henceforth, there is no specific definition as such. Even, though I’m trying to express my definitions based on current perceptions yet not definite one. Find your definition using your terms, and following this up is not advised
Good Luck on finding yours! Cheers!
Random Whys 