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Your identity is who you are; however, it is more than your name, address, and social security number. Your true identity of why you are here lies deep in the recesses of your subconscious and spirit.

Oftentimes, we identify ourselves by the difficult life experiences, trials, rejections, and obstacles we’ve had to overcome. When we fail to overcome the obstacles, we then begin to look for our identity in other people and possessions. Once we lose our identity, many negative things can fall into our lives by choice, not by chance.

So how can you tell if you are a victim of identity theft? Ask yourself these questions:

Do you worry what others think and ignore your own beliefs, values and opinion?

Do you give more importance to how other people will feel about your decisions rather than considering your own point of view?

Of course we all need to consider other people to be decent and sensitive. But if we care too much what others think, we live by our imaginations of others’ thoughts. Ask yourself this critical question: Are you living a true authentic purposeful life? Learning to own your identity, and define your passions and purpose, will place you on a path of growth and success that is unparalleled.

We must understand who we are and what we want from our lives and not leave these critical life choices and decisions in the hands of someone else. As humans, we all need validation, acceptance, and approval from those we love. But if others neglect to design their own lives, how do we expect them to design ours? The sooner we let go of what others think and truly believe in ourselves, our dreams, abilities, and authentic gifts, the sooner we will be headed toward the life of our dreams.

Picture yourself receiving a beautifully wrapped Tiffany jewelry box. You are so very anxious to open it to retrieve the contents inside. Once the box is opened, and the beautiful 4-carat brilliant rare one-of-a-kind diamond is revealed, you discard the box and cherish, nourish, and take care of the diamond because of its value. The value of the “rare diamond” appreciates over time.

I use this analogy because it describes the value we possess inside of us yet most people place their value on the external extrinsic tangible items and possessions in their life. The power, value, beauty, uniqueness, and one-of-a-kind authenticity we possess on the inside is ours to build up or tear down.

Regardless of what is going on in the world around us (murder, suicide, addiction, bullying, abuse, and toxic mindsets), we have choices of whether we want to get caught up in the vortex of the negativity it brings or we can focus on the internal intrinsic value we possess which is where the true power of who we are, why we’re here, what are our unique gifts, and what difference and contributions we can make in the world lies.

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http:www.chollowayhill.com

Founder of C. Holloway Hill Enterprises, a certified Minority personal and professional development company, Cathy is an established Life Design Strategist & TV Talk Show Host. Her company’s mission is to devise strategies that promote performance excellence and empower others to achieve their personal and professional best. Cathy provides her clients with the tools and knowledge to take action, discover potential, embrace change, and unleash their brilliance.

In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Cathy has executive leadership experience with the global dynasty, IBM Corporation. She voluntarily walked away from a successful corporate career to focus on her life’s purpose of enhancing and advancing the lives of others. Her professional experience in the male-dominated technology industry affords her the ability to speak from the heart on many topics related to career and life success. She is an active member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), Executive Women International (EWI), a Guest Services Life Improvement Consultant for the Jeremy Kyle Talk Show and has been recognized with numerous leadership awards by major entities including the Governor’s office and the Indiana Commission for Women as a 2012 recipient of the Indiana Torchbearers award, the highest award presented to a woman in the State of Indiana by Governor Mitch Daniels. She has been featured in numerous regional and national publications including Today’s Woman, Her Scene, Black Enterprises, and Ebony Magazines.

Cathy has a B.S. in Computer Science, multiple Coaching Certifications, and a Masters in Psychology. She attained her BS in Computer Science & began her career at IBM Corporation at the impressive age of 19 years old. She broke the glass ceiling and had a record setting career being one of the few (and only) African American females successfully thriving in a male dominated tech industry.

Cathy is the author of Emotional Bailout and Lies, Love & Life. Her books are climbing the charts and have changed thousands of lives. Cathy’s weekly TV show Living By Design, airs each Sunday at 6 pm, on WHMB TV 40 out of Indianapolis and has a global viewership on YouTube with over 1.2 million views. Cathy has conducted interviews with countless A-list celebrities, including Dr. Maya Angelou, Zig Ziglar, Jack Canfield, Barbara Corcoran (Shark Tank), and First Lady Michelle Obama (just to name a few). All interviews and TV  Shows are available on-demand.  Click HERE to visit The Living By Design You Tube page for empowering celebrity interviews!

Cathy’s website is www.chollowayhill.com and she can be reached directly at [email protected]

For more information, please visit Cathy's Inspirational Celebrity InterviewsCathy's Facebook Page, and chollowayhill.com [video width="640" height="480" mp4="https://inspiremetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Living-By-Design-Show-Host-Cathy-Holloway-Hill-says-Check-Out-The-Show.mp4"][/video]

Comments (55)

  1. OMG! This message has blessed my entire day!!!!! I needed to hear this, thank you Ms. Holloway Hill!!!!!

  2. Wow! Truly inspirational and sooooooo on time for me and where I am in life right now. I must stop worrying about what others think and live my OWN life! Thank you so much!

  3. Thank you for your inspirational communication above! Today I heard on the radio “Do not fear to Fail for with God you will not fail so why spend time worrying” . This aligns with that in not wanting to fail in the eyes of others so we look for acceptance to determine our worth. No matter what anyone thinks, says or feels… We cannot fail in Gods eyes so we should look only to his acceptance for our own personal/spiritual growth! Thank you! -Marilyn Farmer

  4. Absolutely great words to live by….how inspiring. Thank you Cathy for reminding us where our true value lives and more importantly, not to let anyone take it from us. I will use your words to help nurture and grow the inner me….the authentic me.

  5. This article is something that few of us think about but all of us get caught up in! Not allowing others to own your identity is a critical ingredient in designing your life accordingly with God’s plan! Bravo Cathy & keep using your gifts to change lives!

  6. What an amazingly powerful message! Knowing who you are and owning your own identity is the key to understanding your purpose in life. Cathy Holloway Hill you knocked it out of the ballpark! GREAT JOB!!!!

  7. Wow!!! Loved every piece of this article! It was right on time and had so many grains of truth throughout the whole article. Great and very inspiring information!!

  8. The day my person let go of the opinions others, about me, Free Indeed was my new space to dwell in. Others opinions are their issues and problems! One Love…

  9. Very well said Cathy, and so on point! I love the analogy of the diamond. It truly illustrates the value we should place on our own self image and self worth!

  10. Cathy, this is so awesome, not just for the article but for the message! You inspire, equip, impact and encourage us to soar! Thank you, your work is stellar and your heart is gold!

  11. I am astonished to be mentored by such a wise woman and I totally agree about having the choice to be stuck in the vortex of negitivity. Your so amazing

  12. This amazing spirit is one of the FEW people on this planet that truly GETS IT, LIVES IT, AND LOVES IT! Cathy Holloway Hill is living her passion and purpose accordingly with God’s orchestrated plan for her life. She is such a powerful voice and I truly wish wish wish wish wish she could get MORRRRRRRE exposure because the world needs her wisdom…..BADLY!!!!

  13. This article brings so much attention to things we don’t ever think about, and it could easily leave one speechless. This speaks to the depth and soul of each of us. This is a true individual who understands life, and I agree with one of the comments that this person needs MUCH more exposure. Our world is in bad shape, and this individual has the gift to reach the masses. Thank you for sharing this today!

  14. I typically don’t come to motivational sites but I ran across this because a friend told me to check it out & I’m SO glad I did! This lady is ON FIRE with this message!

  15. OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve NEVER heard it explained like this and this hits home and resonates soooooooooo very much for me. I have been struggling a lot lately with this exact issue and this article truly helped to put everything in much better perspective. Thaaaaaaank you sooo much Cathy Holloway Hill! You are truly a special human being!

  16. Fantastic message Cathy…best read all month! Keep encouraging and inspiring as you always do…and I’ll keep listening and learning.

  17. I simply cannot say enough great things about this profound article! Who Owns Your Identityy gets right down to business answering some of the deepest, soul searching questions many have had for years but didn’t know how to as. It’s almost as if the Cathy Holloway Hill has seen into the inner-workings of my mind! Excellent article!

  18. I’ve seen you grow to levels that neither of us never dreamed possible but you are changing the world and I’m so proud so impressed and so thrilled!!!!! Keep making a difference because this article is outstanding!

  19. I love the notion of identity theft being something we allow others to steal from us. We allow the negative vortex to suck us into it rather than realizing we have the power to be positive, strong and to love ourselves. Amen sister!

  20. self(identification) is the best, if not the only place to begin: it may be the worst place in the world to end up(arrested development/dwelling on or wallowing in a past that’s gone), but each of us has to begin somewhere…..; what better place than a solid base: thanx for sharing

  21. Awesome! You are so deserving of everything amazing coming your way! You’re a beautiful blessing to so many!

  22. So many times I’ve asked myself why I make c train choices & do things I really don’t want to do. This pits life in a new perspective that I’d never thought about. Stellar writing!

  23. Hey Cathy, you threw me a curve ball. I was thinking with your former IT background, if I remember correctly, you were going to talk about “Identity Theft” as it relates to stealing credit card info and those types of things. But you are talking about something much more important than just financial things. To lose one’s identity because we are intimidated by others, to not have the self confidence to have a fruitful and happy life, is the worst type of “Identity Thief”. I think you nailed it with this post. Why to go.

  24. RIGHT ON TIME!!!! for where I am today in my life. This truly inspired me on this day, and something I will carry with me going forward. This is another confirmation that knowing who I am truly helps me to understand my purpose in life. Again you continue to help me to keep pushing forward. You mean so much to me. I thank God for having you in my life. Keep doing what you are doing. You are an awesome, amazing woman.

  25. Thank you for your article, a healthy reminder for us to be honest and true to ourselves. I used to find it so easy to try and be a “people pleaser” instead of honoring my own opinions, developing my own character, and expressing my own thoughts and feelings. As a dear friend once asked me, “How can others get to know you if you don’t show them who you really are?”

  26. This article goes straight to the heart and soul of our existence. Congratulations Cathy Holloway Hill & thank you for sharing your brilliance to the world!

  27. Your article just really inspired me. I would love to learn your tools on becoming a inspirational business entrepreneur.You have such words of wisdom. Thank you again for the article, it weighed joyfully on my soul.
    Godspeed.
    Julie

  28. This article hit me at a time when I need it most! WE ALL need more of this in this chaotic world we live in! Thank you for sharing your incredible gifts! ❤️

  29. This article touches my soul and has made me whole! I was dealing with a lot today and this helped tremendously! Thank you!

  30. These are huge or great wisdom. Self-reflections and self-questions, that’s all of us need to. Thank you very muc and love:)

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