Hatrack River Forum: Landmark 2000 Who am I?

This is topic Landmark 2000 Who am I? in forum Landmark Threads at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :

Who am I? The answer to this question might seem simple, but it’s not. I am many things. I am a Latter Day Saint. I am a male. I am a Hatracker. I am single. I am a reader. I am a fan of science fiction. I could go on, but even if I listed every single thing that describes me, would it answer the question of who I am? There’s an old saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its’ parts. I think that applies to me and to every one of us. Let us explore some of the things that make me who I am.

I am a Latter Day Saint. I was raised in the LDS Church. This has had a profound impact on my beliefs and how I view the world. I believe, for example that the human race cannot destroy itself or the earth. We can do extensive damage to ourselves and the planet, but God will not allow us to destroy the world we live on. I was taught to love others even when I disagree with the way they live their lives.

I am a male. Besides the obvious physical differences, I believe that there are internal, psychological and emotional differences between men and women. I’m not a psychologist or a scientist, so I won’t delve into the differences, but being male has affected the way I look at the world and live my life.

I am a Hatracker. Being exposed to so many different viewpoints and ideas has caused me to reexamine my own views on many subjects. Hatrack is also one of the few places in this world where I feel like I fit in. I take comfort in knowing that there’s a place where I belong. I’ve also made friends at Hatrack. While I haven’t met most of you, there are many here that I consider to be friends. Hatrack has become a second family.

I am an Arizonan. I’ll always consider Arizona to be home even if I move to another state, or even another country. I complain a lot about the summer heat, but Arizona has some amazing things going for it. One of the best things about Arizona is the collection of Hatrackers who live here.

Who am I? I haven’t found the answer to this question. Yes, there are many words that describe parts of who I am, but I haven’t found any words that accurately describe the whole me.

Am I the only one who hasn’t found the answer to this question? Who are you? I have to get ready for work now, so I don’t have time to ponder this right now, but if any of you can tell me who I am, please feel free to do so.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

You are a friend, and a great guy. I'm glad you are here. [Smile]

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

I'm just MPH. Nice to meat you.

Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :

Derrell, nice to get to know you better. Though, unfortunately, I still do not feel that I know you well. You need to post more to rectify the situation. [Wink]

I think introspection is a wonderful thing--learning to understand and define yourself. I think it is healthy to know who you are.

I remember watching something awhile back--can't for the life of me remember what--where someone was asking the question "Who are you?" The first few answers were superficial. But the idea was, if you keep asking the question, you finally get down to the real answer. But I dunno if that is true. I'm not sure any of us can ever "define" ourselves, even if we write a book. We are more complex than that. But still, knowing ourselves is good.

Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :

How, exactly, do you "meat" someone? [Angst]

Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :

*approaches beverly with a couple of T-Bone steaks [Evil Laugh]

quote:
I am an Arizonan. I’ll always consider Arizona to be home even if I move to another state, or even another country. I complain a lot about the summer heat, but Arizona has some amazing things going for it.

Preach on, brother.

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

Derrell -- it is nice to see a guy that doesn't "define" himself by what he does for a living (job). See? you don't even mention it -- I think that is a positive sign.

Thanks for the landmark.

FG

Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :

Hey, Da Goat! Nice to meat you!

Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :

I think it is ok to define yourself partially with your job if your job is also your "passion".

Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :

Allegra, my job is definitely not my passion. For those who don't know, I work at a drive in movie theater for $5.35 an hour.

beverly, I'm trying to post more. I tend to stay out of the serious threads. I'm trying to build up the courage to post more in the threads on serious issues, especially issues I care about.

Farmgirl, I've never had a job that I thought was worth defining myself by, so it's never been an issue.

Goat, Arizona is where I was born and raised. It will always be a part of me no matter where this life takes me.

rivka, you are a good friend and I'm glad I've had a chance to get to know you a little better.

mph, glad to meet you, too.

The introspection that led this thread was inspired by Raia's landmark about home and what it means.

There's one more thing I should probably add to the list. I am a procrastinator. It's taken me 38 years to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be an animator. The problem is that I don't want to grow up. [Wink]

If anyone has a prtoblem with that, I say [Taunt]

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Nice landmark, Derrell. I'm glad I've gotten to know you since your arrival here! Stick around for a while... you rock, and there should be more people like you. [Smile]

Happy 2000!

(edit: I missed this the first time:)

quote:
The introspection that led this thread was inspired by Raia's landmark about home and what it means.

I'm glad to know that my landmark served SOME purpose! [Smile]

[ September 22, 2004, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Raia ]

Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :

Derrell, I'm so glad you posted a Landmark. It's nice to get to know you better.

You've sent an email that's sititng in my "to reply" box, and I'll try to say something more details via that format today.

Keep searching -- we all are, too. [Smile]

Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :

Derrell,
Do native-born Arizonans still refer to themselves as "desert rats?"

I'm thinking of the limitations of using a spoken language to describe personal attributes. You generally end up with a list of labels such as single-white-Christian-straight-male. Language just doesn't cut it.

Think of the hundreds of verses written by prophets who knew God, trying to describe God. With all that text, we still have differences of opinion on the nature of God. I think the stories about God's activities serve as a better indication of the nature of God than do the many lists of godly attributes.

Tell us a story!

Have you ever been to Montezuma's Castle State Park? I get the willies every time I visit that place, seeing the bones in the museum and thinking of dead Indian children who fell from the cliff dwelling.

How about Tonto Natural Bridge?

Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :

Do you have a cactus?

Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :

No, I don't have a cactus.

Yes, I've been to Montezuma's Castle. It's a really cool place.

Hatrack rocks. [Hail]

Hatrack