The Greatest Accomplishment: Knowing Who You Are

 “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I recall a few years ago when I was informed that I was going to serve as a Church Elder for the very first time in my local church for a two-year term. Like all the other roles I have occupied as an adult, I took it upon myself to learn what was required to be an efficient and effective leader.

I found a course on Adventist Resources and immediately enrolled. My initial expectation was that the course would guide me into becoming a better leader. But to my surprise, the key lesson was different—it was teaching me that becoming a better person is what truly makes one a good leader. For anyone interested, you can explore it here: Elders Course 101.

One aspect that struck me deeply from the course—and that I want to reflect on today—is the matter of identity.

When asked, “Who are you?”, the most common response is to describe what we do. For instance, I might say, “I am an Accountant, Auditor, Economist, Businessperson, or Marketer.” But the truth is—those are not who we are. Defining yourself solely by your career or role is dangerous. If, for example, a sports personality suffers an injury that ends their career, does that mean they cease to exist as a person? Absolutely not.

So, who are you really? It is a simple but deeply defining question. In today’s world of social media comparison and constant external influence, knowing who you truly are is critical. When you understand your true identity, you will not be easily swayed, derailed from your goals, or pressured into habits that don’t align with your values.

Your identity must be something consistent, something that does not change with time or circumstance. Think of it as “master data”—foundational elements that define you:

·        Your Name – It distinguishes you from others and is a constant marker of your uniqueness.

·        Your Gender – It shapes how you carry and conduct yourself in public, whether as a man or woman.

·        Your Culture – It grounds you in fundamental beliefs and provides a springboard for your growth.

·        Your Faith – It guides your ethics, morals, and how you interact with the world.

When you focus on these elements, you begin to realize that you may have been short-changing yourself by identifying yourself only by temporary roles or current struggles. You are not just “poor” or “vulnerable”. You are also not just a Teacher, Accountant, CEO, CFO, or Board Member. You are much more.

And when you fail to correctly identify yourself, society is robbed of meaningful and impactful contributions that could have changed the course of history. How many times has a leader made a costly decision simply because those around them were afraid to speak up? If only an advisor to a President was brave enough to say, “Sir, this decision is not in the public interest,” rather than being a “yes-man,” lives and nations might have been transformed.

You may “just” be a servant or cupbearer, but if you truly know your identity, you will understand that you carry value. You may even be the one who holds the key to the King’s or Nation’s dreams. Knowing this, you will not keep quiet—you will speak. You will not self-pity yourself! You will be the best version of yourself each and every day. Your Temporary setting does not define who you are.

Personally, this realization has helped me greatly. I have sat in councils with men whom society considers far “above me,” yet I contributed meaningfully because I never let social status define my worth. I stand with confidence, engage decision-makers with respect, but never feel inferior—because I know who I am.

Your identity cannot be borrowed or copied from someone else. It is unique and must be discovered, shaped, and lived out by you.

And I also recall a childhood poem taught to me by my Grade 3 teacher which has stayed with me:

“I am me, and me alone, no one else is me. I stand alone, yes I do, because I am me and me alone.”

May this reminder help you, as it has helped me, to embrace your true identity with confidence.

Who are you?

Kindly share your own experiences and how you have dealt with them in the comments section so we can encourage each other to keep the spirit of helping alive.

For more thought-provoking and inspiring stories like this one, explore other articles on my blog.

Thank you for reading — your time here means more than you know.