Defining one’s self via a personal history, opinion, or values is a dangerous way to live. By defining your past and present, you are setting in place a rigid identity structure that now needs to change in order to adapt to new situations.
In a world of rapid acceleration, one can not rely on their knowledge of the past to thrive. Adaptability becomes more important than structure. In fact, “survival” by definition implies something staying the same, or continuing to exist in the same way. The harder you work to define yourself, the more external forces that put pressure on that definition feel like mortal threats to your existence. If you build a structure of identity that is inflexible to change, you will have to “die” in order to survive in a world that looks different than the past.
Connections
Link Explanation: These two notes are connected in that they both highlight negative effects of defining oneself. The current note points out that self-definition creates friction for future change, while the linked note points out that it is impossible to accurately and complete describe an individual and as such becomes a limiting factor for the Self.
Durability Is Foundational To Direction And Action
Link Explanation: The note linked provides an intriguing contrast to the note above. While the note above discusses the value of internal fluidity, the linked note promotes the importance of external durability in the world around us in order for our actions to hold meaning.
Authentic Living Requires Acceptance of Death
Link Explanation: The linked note argues for a literal acceptance of death in order to live authentically. The current note essentially argues for a metaphorical embrace of death in order for an individual to occupy a position of flexibility and adaptability in a world that is increasingly being reincarnated as something new every few years or decades.
Reference
� Essence Is Fluttering