Who Am I?

When I was teaching, the question ‘who am I?’ was often important to the children. Sometimes it related to family – the reputation of parents or siblings… their nationality, affluence, lifestyle; sometimes it was about physical attributes – hair colour, shape, size, needing glasses; sometimes it involved gifts and talents, what they enjoyed or disliked – sport, reading, painting; and then there were the personal characteristics – the sense of humour, the temper, the food they liked…

Big questions of identity continue through life. Older folks I know ask similar but different questions. Some relate to occupation… previously I was a nurse, engineer, secretary, but now I’m retired…? Some relate to family… I used to be an active parent, caring for my children, now they have moved away…? Some relate to declining health… my arthritis restricts my activity… my mind used to be much sharper… I can’t remember… ‘Pardon?!’

Musing on ‘Who Am I?’… I’m proposing four stages:

Awareness: Looking in the metaphorical mirror I ask the questions, open to the uncomfortable or the unpleasant as well as the encouraging and positive.

Acceptance: Answering honestly I accept myself as I am… not who I used to be or who I’d like to be. I’m ‘me’ and that’s OK.

Advantages: I’m grateful for who I am. I’m strong because I know myself – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m proud of my unique identity.  

Adventure: Knowing myself, viewing myself positively, I face my future with hope. I’m an active participant in my life’s big adventure.

It’s great theory… The truth is that I don’t always like who I am, I’m not always very kind or forgiving to myself; I wish things were different and I was better. I’d rather sit in a corner and opt out of life’s big adventure.

Musing on Isaiah 44… the God who knew me before I was born, the God who will bless my family in the future. I’m ‘me’ – content with myself today and confident in whatever future adventures come my way.