Be A Human Being and not A Human ‘Having’

So often we try to create our identity with what we have, with our possessions and our position, yet our identity is actually created by our behavior, by what we do and more importantly by how we do what we do. What really matters is not what you have got or the position that you hold, but who you are and how you behave.

We have become a society where we tend to measure a persons status by their possessions and their position. We no longer measure them by their contribution to society. This has created an enormous pressure to constantly flaunt the trappings of “success” the material things that create the impression of status.

Yet the very drive to constantly acquire the trappings of “success” creates a problem. The problem of spending money that you don’t have, to buy things that you don’t need, so that you can impress people that you don’t like.

This leads to constant insecurity, firstly can I afford these things and secondly, what if someone gets something bigger, better, faster, brighter. You sacrifice your peace of mind for the illusion of material comfort and power.

We have to learn to do more with less. Realise that your personality is more important than your possessions. Realise that what you do is more important than what you’ve got. Realise that how you do what you do is more important than what you do.

Your actions have a greater influence on your reputation than the position you hold or the possessions you accumulate. The one thing that you take with you where ever you go, is you. Make sure that you are worth taking along. Realise that all possessions and positions are transient, here today gone tomorrow. Think of all the changes that have already taken place in your life. The only constant is “you”.

Written : 2004 Johan V. Campbell