Summary

The web content reflects on the philosophical question of personal identity as it relates to habitual actions, inspired by Aristotle's quote that excellence is a habit, through a series of personal reflections and poems by various authors on Medium.

Abstract

The article "Are We What We Repeatedly Do?" delves into the essence of personal identity by examining the famous Aristotelian assertion that excellence is not a singular act but a consistent pattern of behavior. The author, Judy Walker, along with Terry Pottinger, Mick Gibson, and Annie Trevaskis, explore this concept through introspective writings and poetry. Walker shares her insights during her travels, contemplating her own habits and how they define her. She concludes that her repeated actions and thoughts—seeking truth, questioning, observing, and loving—shape her identity as an explorer, detective, perpetual child, soul-diver, observer, light in spirit, peacekeeper, curious being, human, and child of the Universe. The article also encourages readers to engage with the works of other authors who have responded to the same prompt, emphasizing the subjective nature of self-discovery and the shared human experience of introspection.

Opinions

Terry Pottinger interprets Aristotle's quote through a heartfelt poem.
Mick Gibson and Annie Trevaskis offer their unique perspectives on the prompt, which are recommended for their soulful insights.
The author, Judy Walker, believes that one's habits and repeated actions are reflective of their true identity.
Walker expresses gratitude towards Terry Pottinger for inspiring self-discovery through the challenge.
The article

Are We What We Repeatedly Do?

Aristotle says so, so it must be true.

Not long ago, the gentle Terry Pottinger dove deep into her interpretation of Aristotle’s quote:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

She answered it like only Terry can — with a straight-from-her-heart poem.

“We Are What We Repeatedly Do.

Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” ~Aristotle

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Mick Gibson and Annie Trevaskis followed with theirs. Do check them out at the bottom of my post. Your soul will thank you.

I’ve been traveling for the past two weeks and have not been writing very much on Medium. But this prompt has followed me through Holland and now Prague. Who am I? Am I truly what I repeatedly do?

Here goes…

I repeatedly seek the truth, Therefore, I am an explorer.

I repeatedly find the truth, Therefore, I am a detective.

I repeatedly ask, why? Therefore, I am a perpetual child.

I repeatedly ponder my life experiences, Therefore, I am a soul-diver.

I repeatedly go quiet, Therefore I am an observer.

I repeatedly break into laughter, Therefore, I am light in spirit.

I repeatedly crave peace in my relationships, Therefore, I am a peacekeeper.

I repeatedly doubt my interpretation of reality, Therefore, I am curious.

I repeatedly feel, Therefore, I am human.

I repeatedly love, Therefore I am a child of the Universe.

Delight in Mick’s poem celebrating who he is:

Terry’s — We are what we Repeat — challenge

A challenge from Terry Pottinger

micklg.medium.com

And Annie’s take on the prompt is…well…singularly Annie.

We Are What We Repeatedly Do

Challenge accepted

annietrevaskis.medium.com

Thank you, Terry, for challenging me to discover who I am beneath my reflection in the mirror.

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