Identity

I've been thinking a lot about identity. Partially because it's a theme in my next book, and partially because my credit sucks. If someone tried to define me by what they saw on paper, how accurate a definition would it be? Are we defined by our spending habits, our surfing habits, the little digital and DNA trails we leave everywhere we go? If all of that information was collected into one area, would that completely define us? It would certainly say a lot. It would reveal our bad habits, our addictions, what we find relaxing, what we believe in. It would show us how we let off steam and how we deal with stress. I complain that I have lots of bills, but I'm guessing 70% of my money last month went to food and gas--after the mortgage payment. It's sad how many times I go to Burger King.

I think the one, and perhaps most important, thing that digital and physical information wouldn't define is potential. The evidence against us can't crush who we are because regardless of what the world sees, each individual has tremendous potential inside of them. Potential that can only manifest itself according to a person's faith. Faith in themselves and faith in a higher power to help them reach beyond the digital trail. And, let's face it, faith is something you just can't quantify.

Put that on your loan application....