Who are you today?

Ever wondered at the multiple people we are in one day? The personas that we don- a parent, an employee, a spouse, a friend- slipping from one role to another, effortlessly, seamlessly. Some days.

Other days, the transition is perhaps not that effortless. When waking up and being just the one you is hard enough. When every step is a struggle, and those multiple personas seem more like a psychotherapist’s nightmare than the everyday juggling of roles that is commonplace enough to be barely noticeable.

In all of this, how often do we connect with who we really are? Are we happy, are we satisfied with our lot? Are the people around us adding to our lives, or leaching from it? Are we adding to theirs?

Do we take stock often enough?

I was listening to an interview on the radio the other day. The interviewee mentioned something that immediately struck a chord. He talked about allowing oneself to live multiple lives in one lifetime.

Let me elaborate:

One dream is not enough. Just as we can, and do, juggle those multiple personality changes, it is equally important to check in with your personal aspirations, and juggle those around as well. Take that road trip, do that drunken dance on the table, run that marathon in your bra, bungee jump off that bridge….what’s stopping you?

Let’s expand this further. Yes, you are a parent. Sometimes, allow yourself to be the child. Listen to the wisdom of babes. Take on board their uncomplicated views of life. Yes, you are an employee. Learn to switch off for a bit. Just that little bit of time out could recharge you enough to come back with a renewed sense of purpose. As a friend or as a spouse, stop taking those significant people for granted. Don’t allow others to take you for granted either.

So many to-do’s seems to add to that long list that already exists in your mind. This is not meant to be a stress list. This is meant to be a ‘let go and live a little’ list. Sure there will be missteps. Sure you’ll make mistakes. Blunders even. But won’t it be worth it?

If one day is not enough to contain the many people we can be, is one life time enough to contain all our dreams? Perhaps not. But how will we ever find out until we try?

So, who are you today? What is your dream? Wake up! Find out! It may be too late tomorrow.