Identity rant.

First, I feel like I need to make excuses for not writing anything in so long, even though no one reads this blog.  I blame it on Facebook.  This rant is too long for Facebook though.

These days we have lots of "profiles" out there to tell people who we are.  Most of them, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twit-head, are fairly generic.  You answer some questions and it builds a nifty little profile of some sort.  It seems like the most common thing they use to identify you (besides your name, of course), is your occupation.  For those us in an extended un- or under-employed situation, this can cause a bit of an identity crisis.  Recently, I discovered that I have too many identities, and for some reason, I am bugged that I allow others (human, software, or otherwise) to define who I am.  I would now like to take this opportunity  to define myself.  On my own terms.

First and foremost, I am a husband.  That is my most important calling, identity, role, or job.  (Okay, yes, technically, I am first a child of God, but that's different.)  I know I do not always show it in my actions, and for that I apologize, and at the same time, I am making a renewed commitment to show that in my actions.  My wife is the most important "thing" I have in this life (though of course, she is not in my possession, so to speak).  Ironically, what my wife desires that I do to make her most important in my life is to actually put the number two "thing" in my life in front of everything.

Secondarily, I am a father.  My wife wants me to put my kids in front of her to show her that I truly love her. Okay, I can see that.  Anyway, these two are very closely related.

Naval Officer.  Even though it is currently only a part-time gig, I am proud of my military service.  I do not mind being defined by that one.  As a matter of fact, I kind of like it.

Civil Air Patrol Chaplain.  I enjoy the work I do with my colleagues in the Civil Air Patrol as well as with the cadets.  It is rewarding work, and helps me be a better person.

Hospice Chaplain.  (Okay, this is getting harder than I thought, and I think the rest of the list sort of runs together, and are of similar importance in my life.)  I have enjoyed this new role, responsibility, identity, or whatever more than I thought I would.  I feel privileged to be able to associate with some of these people.  I feel honored to be let into their homes and into their lives.  I am humbled that they share their lives, past and present, and their spirits with me.  I also enjoy the people I get to work with.  They are, for the most part, a group of good people, and good group of people.  They care about others and do what they can to help others (including me) feel good about themselves.

Home Teacher and Gospel Doctrine Teacher.  I couldn't decide which to list first, so they get to share a paragraph.  I will admit: I like talking.  I like sharing what I've learned with others, and in return having them share with me.

Barbershop Singer.  Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it, but it's a hobby.  A hobby for which I am late now, so I must bid adieu.  (To yieu, and yieu, and yieu.)

Clinical Pastoral Education Student.  Well, I really do have to go, and didn't get to the sort of main-ish point, okay, not main, secondary.  I didn't get to the secondary point yet.