Today’s Musical Monday selection, Who Are You?, has been all over U.S. television for the past few weeks as the soundtrack for Wal-Mart Halloween costume ads. Someone clearly has a scary sense of humor.
In the mid 1970’s, Pete Townshend had a pretty rough day and even rougher night getting drunk with members of the Sex Pistols, resulting in one of The Who’s most famous songs. In the title track from their 1978 album Who Are You? Roger Daltrey aggressively attacks this age-old question of existence.
Well, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
~The Who, Who Are You?
As a life coach, I frequently help clients redefine their personal identity during and after life transitions. Not only do our interests and passions change over time, but our roles in life do as well.
Midlife transitions like changing career fields, marital status or retiring usually result in a shift in how individuals view themselves and their contribution to the world. For example, after introducing yourself by using your job title for over 30 years, it may be a challenge to create a new identity in retirement.
Life transitions become an exciting opportunity to align personal identity with life purpose, and answer Roger Daltrey’s question with conviction.