Do Not Tie Your Identity to Things You Own

You are not your car, your house, your watch, your phone. Or your money in the bank account.

You are not the number of friends on social media. The number of likes you get for a picture, or the number of followers you have. You are not the posts you write or the comments you make on other people's posts.

Take a step back and break the material prison that society forces us into to make us slaves. The rules society has set up to make us believe that social media, owning things we do not need, and having to buy a new cell phone every year are all part of our lives.

Do not let material things define who you are, because when those things pass away, unless you leave something else that is more important than anything else in this world

You are what you do for others and how much love you give to others every day. You are what you do to make this world a better place for everyone around you.

You are a unique individual with unique thoughts and ideas that no one else can ever have or think. You have the ability to change other people's lives by simply being yourself and showing them compassion at the right moment when they need it most.

I think we all have a tendency to fall into two traps:

Trap #1: We feel like we need to be something in order to make a mark on the world, and so we try to define ourselves by our abilities, possessions, or status. The result? We end up feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Trap #2: We get caught up in the idea that the only way we can matter is by showing off what we have or who we are—a job title, an impressive project, or a great Instagram feed. But when we do this, it just makes us feel like everyone else is better than us.

So what's the antidote? I believe it's this: your identity is who you are when no one else is around. It's a feeling that comes from within—a quiet assurance that no matter what happens in this world, you will always be a person who matters and has something to offer others.

Your identity is revealed every time you take an action that reflects who you really are inside—your true self, stripped down to its core essence. When you do something with integrity; when you help someone who needs it; when you stand up for what's right; when you put yourself out there for someone else.

The way out of this trap is by learning how to see things as tools to enhance your life, not a way to show off or define who you are. Avoid focusing on material objects or achievements as proof of your worthiness—instead try focusing on the things that really matter: family, friends and output.

The more things we accumulate, the less room there is to create something truly special and meaningful.