Running From My Own Shadow

There's a parable by the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi about the man running from his own shadow. He spends all day running around, but can never truly get away. If only he sat still and rested in the shade ...

Similarly, most of my life I have been struggling to change and adapt to carry out roles that others expected for me: a good student, a good professional, a manager, an educator. As history has demonstrated, I capable and indeed excel in these roles. Yet, if I am unhappy because I 'm not being myself, then what's the point?

The challenge of life is to find a role that fits me, not change myself to fit roles others invented.

So far, I have been running away from myself.