Do you believe that labels limit us?

Question

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."-- Lao Tzu

How do you define yourself, to yourself and others? Are you first and foremost a husband/wife? A mother/father? A bus driver, dentist, musician ... ? A Christian, Moslem, Jew ...? A nag, joker, dreamer ...?

"With every breath, the possibility of a new aspect of self arises."-- Wayne Muller

"As long as I am this or that, I am not all things."-- Meister Eckhart

What are your thoughts?

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MARKYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

((((((Pangel)))))

Answer 1

Certainly they can limit us, but mostly I believe they limit others people's perceptions of us. Know what I mean? How often have I seen a potentially fruitful conversation turn to vapor when the person I'm talking to realizes that (in their perception) I'm a liberal. And you won't get two steps on the road to unity with a fundamentalist (oops!) if they find out that you are branded with a variation of some LGBT label. So while many of us are limited to saying, "I can't / I must do this or that because I am/am not a/an (insert label here)," we also unfairly confine others to the arbitrary parameters of often artificial labels. And though some of us may take comfort in adopting a label or two in our struggles for identity and self actualization, we need to remember that we are evolving and changing and hopefully rising above our current states, and so, whatever labels we bear or ascribe to others should be thought of as mere reference points and not concrete definitions of the person. So what does that make me?

Answer 2

Why all or nothing? Some labels fit. And are applicable in defining us. I AM a mother, a wife, a teacher. But I also have a staggering array of features, thoughts and feelings that cannot be labeled or defined.
So, I guess my answer is no. Labels alone do not have the power to limit us.

Answer 3

Of all time you have to say Def Jam Recordings under Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin's management in the mid-late 80's and early 90's. Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, 3rd Bass, EPMD, Redman, Nice and Smooth, Method Man, Onyx. Other favourites Jive/Zomba Recordings - Schoolly D, Steady B, Too $hort, Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, ATCQ, Whodini, KRS-1 (solo) Wild Pitch - Founders of Gang Starr, Main Source, Lord Finesse, O.C., Percee P, Chill Rob G.

Answer 4

Labels and everything that encompasses that quality is what holds people back. Once people are thought of to be certain things they stop being people and just portray what they're labeled as. Also, a label is usually a one word description of a person. As far as I'm concerned a person is far more complex and each an individual with a greater capacity for description.

Answer 5

Furious said almost exactly what I was thinking...

We limit ourselves to labels that we have created - ideas, not absolutes, in my opinion.
It seems that, for the most part, we don't understand each other unless some sort of label is attached to one, and let's say for example, one has identified with certain views from diverse "ways of thinking", some may feel uncomfortable with that, or classify one as hypocritical, as it is difficult for some humans to understand how a person could possibly think in contrasting ways and balance or reconcile those opposing thoughts, with one another.
This may be one of the reasons why labels are not always or necessarily accurate in determining what or who people are as wholes, only bits and pieces.

Good question.

Answer 6

I appreciate Eastern philosophy, especially certain ethical principles about humility and community. But I think the general stance on language as a limiting factor is self-defeating. Language is a vehicle, not a trap.

Labels, in the sense of finding words to describe things, are good.

To answer your question, though, I do not label myself. It is such a false burden and shallow hold on identity.

Answer 7

As salaamu 'alaikymn, my friend.

Insha'Allah, as one peson can not be all things to all others, we do pick up labels which, in many ways, limits us and in others, frees us from being what we are not and might not wish to be.

Insha'Allah, I am, first and foremost, one who freely submits to the Will of Allah, Subhanna wa Ta'ala. Next, I am the father of my daughter which implies a single parent who does all that he can so as to provide for and help to educate his child.

One label is temporary in at least two ways. Insha'Allah, hopefully the other label will last for all of eternity. Alhumdulillah!

Ma'a salaam.

Answer 8

I do Kallan
for years I have been trying to discover what I am ... and was loosing who I am

I am Pangel ( Angela ) I am a Pangelist
some people might think this a silly label
but it is the only one that fits
it is just me
and I am no longer searching for a term that I better fit

I think you know the journey I have been on recently .. because you have helped me along it and realise who I am

((((HUGS))))

Answer 9

I try not to label myself in some things... now there are some times when I'm okay with it, like with saying what religion you are or something... but then you get to "liberal" and "conservative", and I'm just wondering if anyone actually fits well into either category, or if it's just a convenient way to group people and assume that they all think the same way.

Answer 10

Labels don't limit us at all. If we let them they do, but it's our choice whether to let labels control our lives or not. Some people don't let labels affect them, and turn out much better, but those who believe in the labeling system can't define themselves.