People are horrible at describing what kind of person they are. The approaches many take to defining themselves are often flawed and misguided. Many lead with occupation, vocation, or career. I'm an office manager. I'm a lawyer. I'm an entrepreneur. Others lead with hobbies, interests, or subculture. I'm a fighting game player, I'm a skater, I'm a goth. Others lead with faith. I'm a loving christian. I'm a practicing muslim. I'm a buddhist. Usually, it is some combination of these that people draw meaning to themselves. This mindset carries over in these people to how they define others as well. While these approaches may be useful on your Match.com profile, they do little for me in terms of defining who a person really is.
I lead with character, actions, and thoughtfulness. I want to be known as someone who is honest, caring, does right by his friends and others alike. A person who is intelligent that strives to convert ignorance to understanding whenever possible. An open mind that seeks not only knowledge but experience. These qualities are what I believe define me. If not, it is what I hope to be defined as in a human existence that is neither perfect nor riddled with missteps.
To those that do not take the same approach as me I find I will never connect with such people. To not understand this, is not to understand me. Indeed, I also try to seek others out that not only take the same fundamental approach but also share at least some if not all of the qualities I endear to myself. Unfortunately, I find that such people are very rare and one can easily be deceived.
It is with this in mind that I (try to) live my life.
