Identity Theft

A Personal Service Announcement

Do you know who you really are?

A challenge exists in adolescence to establish your own identity. Some people do this seamlessly, as if they've known from the beginning of Time who they are and who they will always continue to be. Others struggle with who they are and who they want to be, trying on different identities and sometimes making dangerous decisions in their attempt to discover what really fits. The struggle may even leak into adulthood, and unfortunately, even middle age (do you know any of these? I do).

School offers a wealth of opportunity for young people to find themselves. But then sometimes a "relationship" takes hold.

*Identity Theft Alert No. 1*

Do not ever, EVER let a boyfriend/girlfriend snatch yourself away from you. Only you can prevent this from happening. When you give away your heart, don't give away your mind. Don't forget that there is still a you outside of the relationship. PLEASE. Pretty please?

So you make it through school and enter the workforce? Great. You must work hard and do a good job. This does not include becoming a distorted freak to please the corporate psychopath.

*Identity Theft Alert No. 2*

You do not wake up in the morning and gaze into the eyes of your supervisor (um, if you do, you're either on the fast track out the door at work OR you have already let your identity be snatched). You wake up and see your own face in the mirror (or your spouse if you are the first one up in the morning...but see Alert No. 1). Oh, what's that? You don't look? You had better. If you don't, the next occasion you take the time, you won't recognize yourself. You are not your boss's doormat.

But you survived that? You made it through school? You fell in love? You have a great job?

*Identity Theft Alert No. 3*

The babies. They steal your heart. They warp your mind with joy. They become toddlers and BAM! You're gone. You--no more. The parental role can overtake you in the blink of an eye if you don't watch out. Assuming you are not totally self-absorbed and still dwelling in the mental state of party animal (not a valid identity. sorry!) while parenting a child, this is where millions will meet their identity demise. You ossify at light-speed. Without you.

The balance of identity at this point is beyond delicate--it makes an eggshell seem like a rock. If you look away for too long, your identity is gone...

And just like the other kind of identity theft, it's hell trying to get yourself back so that everyone knows it really is you.