Archives at Zinester: "Without Identity". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "Without Identity" - July11, 2006

"I Believe in You!"

A message of Hope, stories from the road.

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Hello, my friend!

Oh, what a beautiful Mornin'
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I've got a beautiful feelin'
Everything's goin' my way.

I dare you to get up tomorrow and sign that.

Keep singing it until you believe it.

It may take awhile, but the more you say it the more you live it!

You are so beautiful!

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"There is a place where I stand everyday of my life and it is a measure

of who I am. That place for me, is my faith. I stand for all I believe.

What do you stand for?" Bob Perks

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Thanks, my friend!

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Today's Message:

"Without Identity"

by Bob Perks

If you were caught alone somewhere without any identification and had to
convince someone who you were, would you be able to do it? Do you look like the
public, professional image you have created? Would someone believe that you
have three children, two grandchildren and you are a retired company executive
living in Boca Raton?

Now, see yourself in sweat pants and a t-shirt, no wallet, no watch, or jewelry
and no cash in your pockets.

This is you without the labels, the identification cards, credit cards, cell
phone or fancy business suit. Just you.
All you have is the knowledge, wisdom and memories of a lifetime and the ability
to speak.

Last night at 8:00 pm I was scheduled for an MRI. You know that long coffin
like tube that they slide you into and scan your body for abnormalities.

From past experience I have learned to take only the essentials with me to tests
like this. My wife didn't recently and had to wear paper pants. I did not
want to face that humiliation. Open back hospital gowns with black socks and
dress shoes is embarrassing enough for me.

I readied myself for the trip to the imaging center by leaving behind everything
that identified who I was. I actually stood in front of a full length mirror and
questioned myself. You see, I go through this routine everyday. I put cash in
my pocket, my wallet, my rings, my watch and my keys seemingly make me complete.
I grab my cell phone and get into my car.

But standing there last night I suddenly realized how much I depend on things to
complete my wholeness.

"Am I no one without this stuff?," I asked my wife.
"I don't know. Aren't there people who have more stuff then imaginable and
still have no real idea who they are?," she replied.

That's when it hit me. Part of the problem we have in society is our
relationship with things. We are what we wear, drive, carry, own and desire.
We have truly lost contact with ourselves.

Here's a challenge for you. Go some where like the mall with no ID, wallet,
rings, cash etc. Wear a basic outfit, perhaps sweat pants and shirt. Just walk
around. Listen to yourself. Walk through your favorite stores and look at
things. How does it feel that you can't purchase anything? How does it feel
that you don't have 35 cents to make a call? If you were stopped by security
and they wanted an ID and you couldn't produce one, how would you explain who
you were and would they believe you?

I believe that if we were comfortable with who we were and if we were connected
enough to what was inside of our being, we would be confident enough to explain
ourselves. That confidence would come across as someone in control, someone
believable.

I was so lost without my stuff that I felt weakened and a bit scared. This
meant I am not as connected to "self" as I thought I was.

So I ask you this:

If you were about to die and I placed you on a scale and noted the exact weight
and then upon your passing, weighed you again, would you weigh the same?

"Of course!," you say. Then where are you?

This body is yours. Your stuff remains. Isn't this who you are?

No. The real you is spirit and soul. It's what you think and feel. It is the
way you respond to others that would be missing in their lives. It's your
giggle, your smile and friendly gestures, it's your volunteer time given from
your caring spirit, it's your words of compassion and love that identifies you
correctly. Your stuff remains but speaks nothing of you.

The part that is valued most is what we understand least.

And in the end you need no wallet, credit cards or cell phone. In fact, tell
them you want to wear your sweats. The part that finally gets you rewards and
recognition has nothing to do with stuff. But everything to do with what was
inside.

God says, "Welcome home." Not " May I see some identification?" He knows you
by who you were, what you thought and the actions you took.

Now, who are you?

"I believe in You!"

I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when

copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information

attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this

story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission

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May I Suggest...

Need a quick pick me up?

Visit my audio blog to hear my inspirational messages

and you can hear me sing, too.

http://www.bobperks.blogspot.com/

Visit my photo album:

Why not send me your picture to be added to

"My Friends I've never met"

Think you missed a message from me?

Here are the archives...

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Your Comments... If you would like to share brief comment

about today's message, please write to Bob@BobPerks.com

I will use only first names and no email addresses.

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"I wish you enough!"
Bob

Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist.
Member National Speakers Association.
Visit http://www.BobPerks.com

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"I wish you enough!"
written by Bob Perks (c) 2001

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."