Who are you?

If we were to come face to face I’m sure the first thing we would do is introduce ourselves! However, that first introduction is merely letting me know what you go by in this world. As in, how can I identify you if I need to say your name? Or if I’m going to send you mail, how would I need to address the package to ensure it it is given to you? Our name allows us to receive a paycheck and it let’s others know what belongs to us, such as a house or car. But when I wrote the title for today’s blog, the question I asked is not EXACTLY what I had in mind! I want to know “who are you?”

See, my legal name is Linda Hutchison. When I give this name to my bank, they are able to look at the account number I give them, and as long as the name matches, I can do whatever I want with the money in that particular account! But just because somebody simply “knows my name” doesn’t mean they know who I am!

Before I tell you who I am in the here and the now, let me tell you who I used to be! I was spoiled! I was a brat! I was impatient! I was rude–to the core! I was unkind–in every way! I was negativity! And I was flat out the person that nobody wanted AND I was the person that nobody wanted to be around! Looking back, I get it! One word that would have summed me up–through childhood and halfway through my adult hood would be T.O.X.I.C! Not joking! But keep reading, because my story gets better!

Who I am NOW and the person I’m proud to be is a firecracker! In more ways than one, seems how I was born on the Fourth of July– I am loud, and I don’t mind using my voice–which sometimes gets me strange looks! I am life because I help refresh those who need a renewed energy! I am also a giver, I love to help those around me in need! I am compassion, when I see someone in need–I move and offer what I can! I am, by nature, empathetic and I feel the pain of others by hearing their stories! I am brave because I have learned to tell my story again and again! And last but not least, I have a tattoo that sums up everything about me which says: “I am…” Notice the three dots? This means I am “loved”, I am “worthy”, “I am enough”! It took me a super long time to see myself this way, which is why I have it on my right forearm so I can be reminded EVERY SINGLE DAY that “I am…” and I now refuse to let anyone convince me otherwise!

So, who are you?! I didn’t ask who you “were”—I asked, “who are you–NOW?” Other than what the world calls you by, WHO ARE YOU?! To answer that I think it’s very important to make a list of the things you love to do and the truths about yourself! Then turn those actions and truths into statements about who you are! And if you don’t believe it then read it again, and again, and again until you are able to identify with the qualities that you were given! You were not born to just live and die. You were born for a purpose and a reason! If you have children–then you have zero excuses to fail this! Because they are watching YOU! And more often than not, they BECOME who you show them you are! So with your head held high, stake your claim and tell the world who you are!

The one thing that we have to be careful of, is accepting an identity that others put on us without our permission! Do NOT let people around you change who you really are by telling you who THEY say you are! I don’t care how many times they say it! If you do that, you will sink very quickly in negativity, and that is one of the hardest labels to throw off–I should know–been there done that! Haters see one side of you! And they’re going to choose to see the side they want, regardless of how many times you do things differently, or how nice you are to them! Those are not your peeps and you need to walk away and remind yourself of who you are! Walking away from a crowd is not the easy thing to do–but it’s the healthy thing to do! But it’s better to walk away a little sad than to stay and get emotionally bogged down due to the opinions of people who don’t have your best interest at heart!

So I’ll start: I am…

Now tell me friend: Who are you?