- describe yourself
- who are you
- who you are married too, separated from, divorced from, survivor of, living with or dating
- your child(ren), pet(s), parent(s), sibling(s) or friend(s)
- your job, career, school or hobby
- no mention of accomplishments, titles, degrees or appointments
- nothing bestowed upon you by some one or some thing
i call this my naked in the wheat field theory. imagine yourself standing naked in the middle of a wheat field. no one else is around you. it is quiet except for the shush of the stalks of wheat gently blowing in the wind (don't worry, the wheat is still short). the reason you are naked is to force you to figuratively not hide behind labels, titles or other decorations you have picked up along the road of life.
i challenge you - go through this exercise until you can describe who you are. i would love to hear what you come up with. send me a message or post in the comments section for all to see. be bold! and above all, be real.
For years I have had a deep emotional connection with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's poem, Who am I?
ReplyDeleteWho am I? They often tell me
I stepped from my cell’s confinement
Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
Like a squire from his country-house.
Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
Freely and friendly and clearly,
As though it were mine to command.
Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
Equally, smilingly, proudly,
Like one accustomed to win.
Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
Struggling for breath, as though hands were
Compressing my throat,
Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
Tossing in expectation of great events,
Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?
Who am I? This or the other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?
Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!
March 4,1946
I am fearless, pridefilled and Blessed. I have walked thur hell and back and am still here to give a testimony about it. I am a child of God, and do my best to live by his principles, he is my New Employer. I am unsure at times, and Secure at times. I am Driven and I am Humble. I am Fair and I am Understanding. I have a since of humor yet I am Serious. I am patient and I am Restless. I give second chances for he has saved a wrech like me. I am curious about the Future and Do not regret my past. I live one day at a time for its all i have. I am not cured, but understand there is a solution. I am optimistic for it can only get better. I think ive seen the worst. Today i have hope, for my yesterdays were very dim. I am grateful and thoughtful, healthy and free. When I think of "I am " It takes me to Who God is. He is everything, everywhere and all powerful. Today i am Living by his Grace and Mercy. I am
ReplyDelete