When we asked her to elaborate, she stated simply that what was so remarkable about her experience at roundtable was that we were all praising her for WHO she was as a person, not just for what she’s accomplished. She wondered out loud if her friend’s parents would put emphasis on her friend’s achievements rather than for who she was as a person.

In that moment, my husband and I looked at each other and smiled. We realized as parents, we had done our job. She was able to distinguish this very profound awareness that, in my opinion, escapes most people. Who you ARE in life is equally as important as what you DO.

Who are YOU? Do you know? Do you value who you are as a person in world as much as you value your accomplishments?

Admittedly, we live in a culture where we are mostly defined by what we do rather than who we are. Both are important but I would presume that most of us are out of balance in doing department.

Here’s an invitation to ponder following questions and spend some time remembering or cultivating who you ARE.

1. When you think of yourself, what do you primarily identify with - your sense of being or what you do?

2. Can you identify your values? What’s most important to you beyond “shoulds” of life? Truth, integrity, beauty, love?

3. If you were to die tomorrow, what would people remember about you? How much money you made or what you stood for?

4. How well do you love yourself? What do you need to take care of so when you look at yourself in mirror you feel good about you (and I don’t just mean physically)?

I give thanks to my wise daughter for reminding me of this very powerful life distinction. What a gift it is to be a part of raising a human being who finds value and meaning in herself.

It’s YOUR life…imagine possibilities!