INTRODUCTION

Why this book and why this title “WHO ARE YOU”? It is an attempt to highlight as well as to deal with one of the most glaring misconceptions about human nature. On the surface, the question WHO ARE YOU? may seem like simple, commonly-used every day terminology which can frequently be heard in the shops; amongst friends; families or at any social gathering or at an event.

However, a closer examination will show that the real answer to the question “WHO ARE YOU?” is very complex, if not revealing, in the sense that it goes well beyond the expected response dictated by conventional wisdom; that is if you really want to know who TRULY someone is.

In fact some people become either dumbfounded or perplexed; they have difficulty answering if you ask them WHO TRULY ARE THEY? They become dumbfounded and perplexed because they do not know who they TRULY are. They then begin some soul-searching if they are smart enough to ask themselves: WHO TRULY AM I?

So, in a sense, asking WHO ARE YOU? is meant to stimulate you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, which will lead you to some introspection of your strengths and weaknesses; capabilities and shortcomings; as well as your innate abilities, your hidden powers and your potential.

It is against this background that this book has been written, which is largely based on the contemplation of this question and the quest for transforming the lives of people like you who are lucky to come across it and to read it.

To give you an illustration as a way of elaborating further on this, the initials of WHO ARE YOU? are W.A.Y. In essence asking the question Who Are You? Is meant to lead you to a door, that is a WAY or PATH in the metaphorical sense, to give you the mental stimulation to explore new ideas; new ventures; and to formulate innovative approaches, which will help you deal with challenges and obstacles, which may be preventing you from achieving your goals; becoming successful and leading a happy and peaceful life.

So, when somebody asks you WHO TRULY ARE YOU? and gives you food for thought; this is the platform for you to initiate the examination process and BOOM! The INTROSPECTION to find out who you TRULY are begins.

So, the question “WHO ARE YOU?” produces what I would like to refer to as a “WHAT MOMENT,” meaning that people begin to contemplate what is happening within them.

CHAPTER ONE

WHO ARE YOU? may look like a simple question with a simple answer, but a closer examination shows that the answer to this question is broader and wider-ranging than merely your personal details or your identity. By and large it is meant to generate a spark of introspection into what makes you tick as an individual: your inner-self, your capabilities, your strengths, as well as your weaknesses.

More often than not, when asked the question: “WHO ARE YOU?” most people will instinctively mention their names; maybe their address, professional titles and perhaps their date of birth. By and large, there is nothing wrong with that.

There is nothing really wrong in mentioning your name or giving your personal details when somebody asks, “Who are you?” but in reality, your name or your personal details do not fully explain who you really are. They are just used as a way of confirming your identity as an individual and to distinguish you from the multitude of other individuals in society.

Consider this. Ask yourself: “Who am I?” How would you answer that question? Do you think that just by mentioning your name or outlining your personal details would be sufficient enough as an answer? Certainly not!

Not only that, consider the scenario where a person changes their name. Does that change who that person is? Again, certainly not! For it is very clear that you can change your name; have an alias or other aka’s, but you will still remain the same person, with the same traits and the same characteristics.

This is clear evidence that what you really are as an individual goes beyond mere names and other personal details. Rather there is a fixed or permanent element, which is responsible for making you who you really are. This fixed or permanent element constitutes the real you, and it comprises the innate talents and abilities that gives you the capabilities, potentially, to achieve so much and to become successful in life.

Unfortunately, many people don’t really know who they really are in terms of their God-given abilities and their talents; their capabilities, as well as their shortcomings. Thus, they face problems and challenges in life which they are unable to deal with and see themselves as failures, as they are unable to achieve their goals or attain a success in life, whatever that may be.

For, if you don’t know who you truly are, your talents, your capabilities, your strengths, as well as your weaknesses, then you will have great difficulty controlling your life and your destiny and your achieving success, as well as leading a happy, contented and peaceful lifestyle.

This is what this book is all about. A crusade to awaken your consciousness and to raise your awareness of the power within you. This book is designed to ignite the spark of curiosity in you; to help you to know the real you; your full potential; your capabilities; your innate abilities and your hidden talents.

You will develop a mindset which will give you the power to enable you to positively tackle challenges and obstacles which are preventing you from achieving your goals.

This book will help you to become the person you wish to be; to achieve your goals; and to become successful in what you set out to do. In fact, it is your first step to your new life and your destiny.

SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL

Who you are does go beyond your name and your personal details.

Your name and personal details don’t explain your true nature.

Change your name and you will still remain the same person.

Knowing your true self is the first step to becoming powerful.

Knowing your true self will help you to realise your hidden talents and your full potential.

Knowing your true self is the first step to becoming successful in life.

CHAPTER TWO

KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

This is one of the cardinal teachings of motivational speakers; psychologists and religious scholars. Why is it so important to know who you are? This is important because if you want to achieve your goals; to succeed in life, whether socially, professionally or romantically, knowing who you are constitutes the single most important ingredient that will guide you towards that end.

As a human being, who you are goes beyond your name, your personal details or your identity.

You are not only made up of a corporal or a physical body. You are also endowed with a Mind, a Soul and a Spirit. Every person with a Mind, a Soul and a Spirit is also endowed with innate powers, with abilities and talents.

Therefore, every human being has innate abilities and talents. But more often than not these wonderful gifts of nature lie dormant and thus remain unutilised by the vast majority of people, to help them to deal with mundane challenges, or for them to be the person that they want to be and to have a successful lifestyle.

Your talents or your abilities may be latent or hidden. Nevertheless, they can be activated through a conscious endeavour to give you the power and the strength to achieve your goals and to make the impossible become possible.