WHO AM I?

Friday's Thought - Do you look at yourself and see who you are becoming?

WHO AM I?

Do you ever stop and look at yourself and wonder who you are and how you came to be there? As I've settled into Midlife I've had more time to take stock and to see who I've become and to appreciate the journey involved in getting here. I don't think I've arrived yet at my destination, but I'm really starting to enjoy the process of growing into the person I am capable of being.

I read in a Christian publication years ago that God knows who we are and the person he created us to be. I like that idea - that there is a whole person that I am becoming and it's not about appearances or the external stuff, it's about becoming a woman of worth who achieves all her potential.

HOW AM I GETTING THERE?

Sometimes I wonder how I'll ever reach that full potential, but then I look at the people in my life, those who have come and gone, and those who have come and stayed. I look at the lessons they've taught me, the advice I've been given, the unconditional support, the encouragement, and also the tears.

I had 19 years of living with my parents and my brothers, 25 years of living with my children, 35 years and counting of living with my husband, and 55 years of friendships. So many people, so many different roles, so many experiences, and they've all added together to make me the person I am today. There are still some edges to smooth off, but there is a lot of life experience that is shaping me into being the best "me" possible.


AM I HAPPY WITH "ME"?

This is probably the big question to ask. Am I happy with the person I've become? Am I happy with the choices I've made? Have I learned from the tough times so they weren't for nothing? Am I growing as a person, am I developing the depth of character that I admire in others? 

I hope I can say 'Yes' to all those questions. I hope the journey continues. I hope I'll be a wise old woman with a twinkle in her eye. I hope I still have a role to play in the years to come. I hope I live graciously and gracefully as I age. I hope I've made the most of my life so far and use those experiences to keep "becoming" because there is still so much more of life to come.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I wrote a "poem" a while back on Who I Am that reflects all I've come from and it makes me happy when I read it. Are you happy with who you are? Do you see life's experiences as building blocks in your "becoming"? Are you grateful for all that has gone before and looking forward to what is yet to arrive? Life is so interesting and there are so many new adventures ahead - I'm liking who I am now and looking forward to seeing who I develop into in this second half of life.

Friday's Thought - Do you look at yourself and see who you are becoming?

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27 comments

  1. I am very happy with who I am. it did take me a while to get to this place though. I have done a lot of self-analysis in the past few years. something about midlife, maybe it is that we have more time now, lends itself to figuring out who you are and who you want to be. Like you, I don't know if I will ever get to reach my full potential- but I figure I have until I am dead to get there!

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    1. I completely agree Michele - I think Midlife gives us our time back again and we can use that to focus on ourselves more and actually consider what appeals to us and what we'd like to develop in ourselves - and we have years still to do it in!

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  2. I'm nearing the end of my destination and know that I've made some bad decisions. I'm still dealing with the consequences, but I've a long way to get to the finish line. I'm at peace, but there's still much more to do before I'll be happy with who I am. I'm glad God loves me anyway and will help me get where I need to be.

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    1. I think we've all made decisions that in hindsight we'd make differently Barbara (I'm sure my kids could mention a few of mine!) but it's about becoming our best person isn't it? If we learn from our mistakes and move forward and grow then they weren't for nothing - and yes, God loves us regardless.

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  3. Like Barbara, I am nearing the end of my destination, and yes, I am happy with who I am today. I've been blessed in so many ways. But I'm not happy with what I've been! I seem to have done so many things I regret. Still, praise the Lord HE knows me, all of me, and still loves me. That's a good feeling!

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    1. I think we all have regrets Shirley - we wouldn't be human if we didn't - but it's a good feeling to look back and see how much we've grown and to actually like the person we're becoming isn't it?

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  4. I am happy with who I am but feel I have something more to do...I can't seem to figure out what that something is...I am working on it...and by the way, this was a beautiful post, Leanne..

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    1. Thanks Renee - I feel a bit the same way at times - I think as I gain more time for me I feel like I need to use it wisely and make the most of it - now I just have to figure out how to use it well.

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  5. One of the most self-revealing things I've done is a spiritual regression--and it's why I love doing them for people. I learned so much about who I am as a soul, why I'm here -- my purpose--and it all made sense when I compared it to my life so far.
    Carol Cassara
    AHealingSpirit.org

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    1. It always sounds really interesting when you talk about it Carol - it's way out of my comfort zone but I can see how it would have good outcomes for a lot of people.

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  6. Thank you Leanne. For some reason (as yet undetermined :-)), I had a very strong emotional reaction when I read the question, "Are you happy with the person I've become?" I am. There's still many experiences to have, and growing to do, but sometimes I get so caught up in making progress that I forget to appreciate who I am right now, today, and I like that woman. Thanks for reminding me of that fact.

    XOXO

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    1. I'm the same Christie - I can see how far I have to go, but I've also come a LONG way from the insecure, people pleaser who I used to be. I'm so grateful for my blog and the bloggers I've met because that has been a big part of growing and changing for me.

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  7. I'm liking me. But it's taken a long road to get here!

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    1. I know what you mean Diane - I think I finally like myself too - but it's been a journey and a half to get here!

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  8. Hi Leanne! Asking this question and then answering like you have is very SMART! And I think we could all benefit by doing the same on a regular basis. It helps us to remember what is really important to us! ~Kathy

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    1. Thanks Kathy - sometimes I ask myself this question several times a week - other times I feel more settled and okay with where I'm at. I think we all benefit from appreciating how far we've come and who and what helped us get there.

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  9. Ahhh. THE question I ask myself regularly "Who Am I...REALLY?" I'm trying to live a more authentic life, and that requires checking in with myself (thoughts, actions, words) almost daily. I'm constantly on the lookout for myself and my purpose. It's a journey, for sure, but it's one I'm loving!

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    1. Authenticity is definitely what underlies it all isn't it Melody? We need to find out who we are and be true to that person and develop ourselves in a way that is healthy but also fun and "real" at the same time (no wonder we have to keep checking back on ourselves!)

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  10. I'm pretty happy with who I am - I never used to be. I always felt that I was living someone else idea of what my life should look like. It's not perfect, it's evolving, but I'm absolutely not unhappy with any of it.

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    1. Perfectly summed up Jo - and I can totally relate to living for others and finally having the chance to start living rfor yourself and being happy with that.

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  11. Some great introspection into ourselves, Leanne! In a class I teach, we talk about identity, and it always seems that women identify into more roles than men. But it can take us longer or into midlife before we accept those identities!

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    1. I think women often get so caught up with their relationships and being wife, mother, sister, daughter etc that we forget who we are apart from those roles. When we come up for air in Midlife we start discovering new aspects of ourselves and that's when the new growth starts isn't it Terri?

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  12. It is a good feeling to be looking forward to what is to come! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger's Pit Stop! Roseann from www.thisautoimmunelife.com

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    1. I don't want to be dwelling in the past Roseann - it's all about the future and moving forward with a positive outlook now that I'm in Midlife :)

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  13. Thanks, Leanne - I agree that living in the present and moving towards the future with a positive outlook is a very healthy way to live. Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. Hi Donna - I think you would be a perfect example of this - and you seem to model positivity in all your posts too x

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  14. I love how you are so wholesome in your thinking. It's so true that we should become well rounded, well developed people as we get older and not waste all those experiences both good and bad which should teach us new lessons, and new ways of doing things. Sometimes I think I'm becoming more vacuous as I get older, and I suffer greatly from 'imposter' syndrome. I think I should stop, take stock and then move forward. Thoughtful post, thank you x

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