Saturday Self-Study: Who Am I?

This week’s a little different from previous weeks.

As you know, I like to journal. Journaling has been one of the best tools I’ve used to continue to heal.

I like using journal prompt questions to get my thoughts going and focus me on something I want to reflect on.

This week, I took the time to answer a journal prompt question, “Who am I?”

It seems very simple, right? However, once I started to answer it, it wasn’t so simple.

I’ve shared my response to this question below out of my journal, and I recommend you take the time this weekend to reflect on this question.

It will be interesting to see where it takes you.

Who Am I?

I know I’m a husband, father, son, USAA employee, retired Navy, and some more, but is that the intent of the question?

Who am I? Am I what I am based on my actions? Am I what I am based on the feedback I receive from others? If I were to write out who I think I am, and have my wife write out who she thinks I am, would they be completely different? Does it matter? I think it does.

I’m a believer. I’m someone who would do anything for my family. I would give my life for my family. Do my actions align with this? How do I show it on a daily basis?

Who am I? I’m someone that’s come a long way over the years. I’m a survivor of sexual abuse and continuing to heal every day. I’m someone that says one thing but does another at times.

Do I stick to my priorities? Sometimes. I can get caught up in feeling good about the priorities I’ve identified. I think they are solid priorities, but does my actions reflect them? Not all the time.

I’m someone that has a bright future. I’m continuing to heal and feel love filling my heart again.

Who am I? I’m someone that still encounters the demons of my past, but knows how to fight back now and is willing to fight like hell now. I’m continuing to find more and more strength each day I show up and fight. I’m not going to let my trauma defeat me, I’m a fighter.

I’m a child of God. A child of the most high God. I have all of His strength in me and because of that, I can do anything.

I’m not going to quit on myself or my family. That’s not going to happen. I’m going to take everything life has to throw at me and use it to be better. I’ll enjoy the good, and fight through and learn from the bad.

I’m focused on the present, or at least getting better at it. I’m someone that’s using my past for my strength and to help others while not focusing too much on the future. I’m constantly learning to be present. How? Through meditation and trying to be more aware of my thoughts. It always comes back to, “What are you thinking and how does it make you feel?” Awareness is key.

I’m someone that wants to help other sexual abuse survivors heal and start having what I have now. I want to teach others how to fight and not be ashamed of their past, not be afraid anymore.

Who am I? I’m still someone that is allowing fear and self-doubt to hold him back too often. It’s a journey and there has been massive growth, but it’s time to let it fly. I need to let it fly in my personal and professional life. They’re never going away, so it’s time to get more and more comfortable with them.

Who am I? I’m realizing now more than ever how little time we have, not to mention the fact that we don’t know how much time that is anyway. I’ve given a lot of my life to trauma, letting it define me. I want to keep learning to enjoy the time I have left with those most important to me.

That’s it, I’m someone that’s going to enjoy the journey because that’s what life is, one long journey.

I’m convinced now more than ever that it does all start in the mind with our thoughts. What we choose to focus on and say to ourselves will manifest itself in reality. It’s a battle in the mind and we must be willing to fight.

Who am I? I’m somebody that’s going to continue to grow, learn, and stay curious. I’m going to come from a place of curiosity rather than judgement. Coming from a place of judgement only continues to build barriers. It’s not about agreeing with everyone but trying to understand where they’re coming from.

Judgment comes from a place of fear and ignorance where curiosity comes from a place of power and understanding.

Stay positive and take action!

Thank you for your support!

If you would like to learn more or schedule a free 30-minute consultation, visit my website by clicking here.

I would love to hear your feedback. If you would like to leave anonymous feedback about this newsletter to help me improve it, you can do so by clicking here.

If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback in email, you can reach me at [email protected].