BoringPostcards repeatedly takes photos. He is a photographer.

A baseball player repeatedly practices and plays baseball. He is a baseball player.

I repeatedly surf the internet, watch the nightly news, and take care of my children. Is this who I am? I think I am repeatedly kind. That's nice. But I would like to be defined by something more. I can't say I repeatedly do something that is athletic or artistic for great periods of time. I will have great stretches of gardening and exercising or other hobbies, but they are not consistently repeated over years (well maybe gardening at fluctuating degrees of commitment). It's kind of sad when I look closely. I want to repeatedly do something that is cool, but for who? For myself, or to be identified as something cool?

I know this is angsty and corny as hell. This is a question a young twenty-something might have. I'm a late bloomer I suppose. Or maybe not. It seems I have always asked myself these types of questions.

That's a huge question to try to tackle, and maybe one that doesn't actually need to be answered. I think most people would be unhappy to be defined by such a narrow statement. I bet most people would then be hate-their-jobs-and-come-home-too-tired-to-do-much-else - which would be incredibly sad. Maybe uneventful things like "being a good person", "making a positive impact on those around you", or "doing what you know is right" are things to be proud of. But I also understand the feeling of wanting something cool to hang your hat on and leave your mark with.

I doesn't sound angsty or corny to ask those questions - it sound human. Until the past year or so, I've been pretty oblivious to such big concepts. I just went through life happy, content, and taking moments as they came. It's not until recently (just after turning 40) that I've done more soul searching and asking the "who am I really?" and "what's it all about?" questions. I feel like this path is making me a better person and is ultimately more rewarding, but to be honest - it was a lot more taking life as it comes and not asking questions. Did I ramble and lose the point again?

No, Slack. That was good.

Man is, for all his conceit of freewill and soul, a creature of habit. We just have more complex habits and instincts than the 'lower' animals we hold ourselves above. Including the ability to judge, and to rationalize.

Me? I'm a habitual line-stepper.

"We are what we pretend to be, so be careful what you pretend to be." -- Kurt Vonnegut

*pretends to be a billionaire*