It wasn't who a person believed himself to be or what he pretended he would do in a given situation. It was what he did when he got there that defined him.
The essence of identity is not rooted in self-perception or the roles we envision for ourselves, but rather in our actions in real situations. This insight emphasizes that true character is revealed through choices made in challenging circumstances, rather than mere intentions or beliefs about ourselves. It suggests that integrity and bravery become apparent only when tested by experience.
In "Crashing Through," Robert Kurson explores these themes by focusing on a...