Where You Are vs. Who You Are

In a recent post, I quoted the great Ralph Ellison, who said, "Perhaps to lose a sense of where you are implies the danger of losing a sense of who you are." While I agree that your surroundings and place in life influences who you are, I also believe that it can work in the opposite way. Where you are can also show you who you are not and where you should be as opposed to where you are. For example, every day I get up and I go to school - high school to be specific. And each day is a living testimony that where I currently am in life is not where I should be. I do not belong in this town or in this school. Still, though I trudge through the ditches and defication of civilization, I am thankful because where I am has shown me who I am not and who I want to be. The future is full of possibilities, and the most satisfying aspect is that I know I have limitless opportunities and amazing experiences waiting for me. As cliche as it sounds, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And while I look forward to attaining the light, I will always remember the tunnel because the experience showed me who I am and who I am meant to be.