Who are you?

Humans are very interesting beings. We are social, we use language as medium, we are inventive, we are dynamic and we are the most powerful. We have created so many things, so many fields to work upon, and so many domains to ponder about. Among us human beings, there are engineers, economists, doctors, labourers, artists and a multitude of other varied professions.  It is quite marvellous if we give a thought to the magnitude of it all.

We, as people are similar on the outset. But then again, we are so unlike each other.

So, the question is, considering the humongous scale of humanity, how would you end up defining yourself? Who are you? Are you a friendly lad with great social skills and a happy go lucky nature? Or are you a conniving scum who charms people to get their way? Well, you could be both. That is the amazing thing about perspective.

As you walk through life, you meet different groups of people. These people have their own opinions and points of view. People perceive things differently. That is a given. So, everyone has a view of what you are. Some may find you funny, some dull. Some may find you hard-working, some just lazy. But you can’t be two things at the same time, can you?

I have heard the most diverse adjectives about myself. While a group of people would call me a pervert, the other would call me an innocent and simple guy. A man once called me highly mature and philosophical; a woman describes me as childish and immature. Such contrasting opinions.

Hence, one reason for such a difference is people’s perspective. Perspective is an amusing thing. What is good to me may mean bad to you. That is how it works.

The other reason is you itself. As you interact with people, you inadvertently adjust a wee bit to accommodate yourself within the opposite person’s wavelength.  That too, is a given, no matter how much you claim to be yourself.

To the man who calls me mature, maybe I don’t show him my idiocy because we never came to see each other’s larky side. To the woman who calls me childish, maybe the exact opposite happened.

You behave in a disciplined manner at home because of your strict parents. Yet, you perform random idiosyncrasies with your friends. That is because, you are free out there. It is also the other way around. You do the most embarrassing things when at home within the familiar walls, things which you can’t imagine doing with others. Obviously, there will be people who beg to differ with this concept, but in general, we adapt.

Thus, it is the fundamental characteristic of humans to adapt. We know about physical adaptations, how our bodies adjust in different situations. However, mental adaptation is something we don’t always study about.

This is who we are. We are, as they often say, reflections of the people around us. It is very droll and fascinating if given a thought - seeing ourselves from different perspectives. Being conscious of how we change with people. Perspective and adaptation are good words. A change in perspective can make your life easier and make you more optimistic. Adaptation can help you adjust in the most stringent of situations.

As varied and adaptive as we may be, in essence, we are unique. And that is the ultimate truth. While we are different for different people, it is most essential to see ourselves as an integral entity, for living in the shadows of others is not advisable, as heard and read many times. It is primary to know yourself, and secondary to know what others deem of yourself...