Who Are You?

Many universities ask applicants to submit a brief paper that answers the fundamental question: “Who are you?” Have you ever asked this question of yourself? In the last two years, I have. My reasons are clear to me and easy to share.

I was too busy doing my thing and never thought of “self” reflection. Instead, I was only trying to answer and confront the problems and issues of the moment.

Since moving into a senior living environment (it will be three years in December), Lenette and I have been going through experiences we never had. Beyond family, we never related to the aged until we arrived here, and now they are our life. We’ve made friends and many acquaintances, all from worlds different than ours. 

We are good listeners, so what we’ve heard from seniors comes from a place we have never been. Rarely shocking, but certainly interesting. However, it does not appear that the question: “Who are you?” is much of a consideration for most we’ve met. As a matter of interest, I might be asking this question to those I feel most comfortable with. 

Since moving here, many friends, people I worked with, campers, and former staff have visited us. How wonderful for us to be with them, to share old “war stories” and such. We listen, talk, and learn so much about who we are to them.

I think my following paper will share what people have to say about who we were to them. Mercy, we have certainly learned much. You should consider asking yourself the same question. You’ll learn lots.

Sy 

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *