Can you answer the question, “who am I?”  It is so important to know who you are and who you want to be.  If you do not know the answer, a life setback can leave you reeling.  I know this because it just happened to me.  And it happened to me before, and again before that.  Knowing “who you are” is a precious pearl.  When you drop this pearl and it rolls behind the dresser, look for it immediately, and then hold onto it tightly!

Recently, I decided to end my job as a financial advisor with a company I really liked.  Not for lack of trying, I was just not growing fast enough under tough circumstances.  Yikes!  This stings!  Someone will be sure to tell me that failure is OK.  Sorry, but that is just doo-doo!  Failure totally sucks.  It hurts.  Most of all, failure makes me question the question. Who am I?

Here is another one.  One day I had three babies.  I am tending to their needs.  I am feeding them, driving them, and helping them look presentable.  But most importantly, I am guiding them, encouraging them, teaching them limits, moderation, delayed gratification and so on.  I am really important to them and they need me.  Then, in a blink of an eye, they grew up.  My friends and family tell me that they still need me.  Well, that is doo-doo, too!  An empty house sucks.  It hurts.  This life event also makes me question the question. Who am I?

There are many more examples.  People will test your boundaries and morals.  People will reject your friendship.  Relationships may end.  You may have to fight a health battle.  You will lose a loved one.  All of these will suck.  You will hurt and the platitudes people tell you will sound like doo-doo.  And you will question the question over and over.  Who am I?

I am a strong, kind, smart, funny, generous, spiritual woman.  I am a great mom, a good wife, a hard worker, a good listener, and a positive spirit.  I would even say that I am fierce and fabulous!  I am not writing this to get your affirmation.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  Only I need to know who I am.  I am the person who is presenting myself to the world.  If I do not believe it, how will you?  One thing I know for sure – I am not a failure.  Because I know who I am, I know failure is not on the list!  This job crisis is only a small setback that my strong and smart self will pull me through.

Knowing the answer to “Who am I?” will keep you on course when life events rock your world.  A strong sense of who you are will lead you to life’s next opportunity.  It will help you overcome obstacles and help you make good choices.  It will get you through tough times and times of illness.  It will help you stand up for yourself when your boundaries are tested.  And when tempted, it is also good to know “that is NOT me!”

Spend time to have a clear answer to “Who am I?”  It is a most precious pearl.

Photo by Andre Mouton on Unsplash