Well, ya know frankn, ppl are always finding such great pride in who and what they label themselves as; I'm an Italian, I'm a policeman, I'm a bodybuilder, I'm this, I'm that....... Unless one has experience at shedding off these labels, how easy do you think it will be, when the ultimate of "letting go" comes, when you have to let go and turn away from all you have ever known?
Having worked in healthcare, I saw and counseled many men, who their whole world was wrapped up in their identity of being the breadwinner, the hard worker, etc, etc...... It was usually harder for men to accept, when life and health knocked them down or back a few notches, to "let go" of that self image. I would remind them, they are so much MORE, than just a limiting label, and in everything, there are lessons to be learned.
People are the greatest treasure this earth has and no matter what one might want consider themselves or labels themselves as, just don't hold on to that ideal too tightly, as your defining image. It is better to be the willow, that can sway and bend when the strong winds blow, than be the mighty oak, that is so rigid, the wind can destroy and topple it.