What is it that makes me, well, me? What is it that makes you, you? We all have a built-in identity based on how we look, how we speak, how we act. I am a Canadian. I was born in Canada X number of years ago. You really didn’t think I was gonna tell you my age? Silly you! But as such, I am perceived by others to have certain… traits. It is expected that I will be polite. Always saying “I am sorry” and “eh” are common phrases that are attributed to a Canadians. They are attributed because they are often said. (Most of us try to get away from the “eh” because it is, well, irritating.) Assuming we are polite is not a bad quality to have.
Canada is the second largest country geographically and yet our population puts us at the 40th. Big country, few people. I think that goes a long way into determining our character. We have a great sense of humour and love to laugh at ourselves. We have more lakes than in the rest of the world combined and we make a great friend. We are loyal and tenacious. But we’re not perfect. We will be the first to admit that. I like being Canadian. I like the fact that the rest of the world likes me because I am Canadian. But I am sure there are those out there who do not. And I’m OK with that.
But there is so much more to one’s character then where you were born. We develop as we evolve as people. I was lucky to have had an idyllic childhood, a carefree youth and, so far, a useful adulthood. I have had adventures and friendships, sorrows and ecstasies. All of these have helped form my character. And it is still forming. With luck, it will be until the day I die. And I have no plans for that anytime soon! I’m just sayin . . .
Perhaps the most important component to one’s character is time. Time allows us to grow, to experience to become the person we are meant to be. It is sad when some are not given the time to become more. With time we can learn, we can touch, taste, hear, see, hypothesize. What we do with those experiences that we have gained over time is what will define our character.
And the final piece to the jigsaw puzzle that is us is, us. We choose. We can choose to let the good and the bad define us or we can make that choice ourselves. That perhaps is the strongest aspect of our identity.
Butterfly Sand 
very well said –
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Thank you Beth
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I agree, I like being Canadian. I have travelled a lot and now live in Spain. I am always treated with respect and admiration due to my nationality. That makes me feel good. But we have been accused of being boring ( we eat dinner at 6 pm and go to bed at 10 pm. Most people in Spain eat dinner at 10 pm!) But when our neighbours need help with anything, they know they can come to us. We are not perfect of course, but we apologize for that.
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Ha ha ha! I knew there was a reason we got along well. I love being a typical Canadian.
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Pam, I love you for being a typical Canadian, and for being anything but a typical human being! 🤗 I think God had a bunch of really wonderful human qualities left over when you were born and He wasn’t sure what to do with them…so He put them all into you. Your character has formed very nicely.
I’m so glad you are you and I am me and we have bonded as friends.
And I have no doubt that Canada is proud that you’re Canadian!
Love your sketch of the redhead with the jaunty hat! Now that is so you!
Ginger
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Thank you dear friend. And I truly believe you are my friend. I am lucky for knowing you. I’m lucky for all the people that I have met here in this blogging world and I am the wealthier for it.
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Hola Pamela,
Such an interesting piece on being, very likeable, you! When husband and I lived and worked in Toronto, travelled and visited beautiful Vancouver and many other places, many moons ago…we met, mostly, very kind, polite Canadians, except one French Canadian woman, who literally shuddered as we were introduced…It was soon obvious that she disliked ALL Brits with a passion. After working with her for a week, she ‘came round’ and treated me like a human being…which was a relief! Carry on ‘being you’ Pam. We wouldn’t have you any other way! xx
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Hola Joy! Part of me wants to apologize that someone here treated you poorly. But that’s the way I was raised. We take responsibility for all Canadians. We don’t need to, but we do. My family history is from Britain. My father’s parents were from Brighton. My mother’s family was from Northern Ireland. So I am British in my blood. And proud of it!
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This made me smile, that you wanted to apologise on behalf of all Canadians. I recently met a man who had a bad experience many years ago in Medicine Hat, Alberta. This is where I’m from and I felt awful. I profusely apologized on behalf of the good folks of Medicine Hat. He thought that was very sweet. (and maybe a bit odd) But as you said, that’s how we were raised.
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Well said, Pam. Of course you are exactly right. Terrific post.
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Thank you so much Jennie.
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You’re welcome, Pam.
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A great, reflective post, Pam. Yeah, Canadians do seem to be revered, as a group. And rightly so. It seems that you are a civilized lot, at least more so that the rest of us and especially more so than your raucous southern neighbors.
I do think place defines a large portion of our individual identities. Not just what country you grew up in, but what kind of community or landscape you lived in as a kid. I suppose that contributes a lot to the great divide between rural and urban philosophies toward life.
And what we make of our lives is also, as you wisely point out, related to our internal attitudes. The person who is constantly focusing on how sick or broke or unlucky they are is going to live a less happy and fulfilled life. That person may even morose themselves into ill health. That is my opinion anyway.
And, like you, I hope to be evolving until my last breath. It doesn’t always work out that way for us, for a variety of reasons. But it’s a darn good goal.
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We are not better than anyone else, I just think that we are perhaps mostly content with who we are. And that does make a difference. You speak wisdom my friend as you usually do. Stay safe.
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As a Detroit kid, I have always been enamored with Canada and its people. In high school, we traveled to the lakes of Ontario. I also worked a summer on a farm in Sarnia. We used to party pretty hard after the farm work day ended. I was always taken by the genuinely nice kids we hung around. There was an equality factor that I didn’t see in Michigan.
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We like it when people like us. It’s nice to know you were treated well. And we do know how to party!
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Yes you do. Can’t tell you how many mornings out under the sun in a field I wished I could die. Yet did a rinse and repeat. One of the Canadians did say one night that the mark of a good party person is repeating last nights mistakes.
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God had a plan for all nationalities…and then there were Canadians. Beautiful people, a fantastic beautiful country, and then I realized that He gave them that smile. The one in your writing above, the verses, the stories and the mind to make them. Few people yes, but one’s to make us smile too. Thank you dear lady…for just being you 😀❤️🙏🏽
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My dear friend, thank you so much for your kind words. You touch my heart.
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As you touch mine dear lady, thank you ❤️🙏🏽
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Life is a series of choices and with time, those choices make us. . . us.
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Succinctly stated.
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Great post! Very inspiring
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I am glad you enjoyed it!
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🪴💕What a great perspective. Love the topic
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Glad you liked it
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