Answering Life’s Most Important Question: Who Am I?

The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why. ~ Mark Twain

Who Am I?

I awoke this morning with a smile in my heart. I completed my first day of Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Experience™. The theme was Who Am I? I have never asked myself this profound question. Why? Well, because I have been so busy being busy that I haven’t given a thought about who I am.

I do know several obvious things about myself. I’m a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, aunt, grandmother, and friend. I’m a published author, artist, educator, and documentary enthusiast. My favorite color is mauve rose. My favorite drink is water. I’m a country girl who was raised in the city. Although I identify as part of these life situations, these do not answer the profound questions, “Who Am I?”

After meditating, I said my prayers giving thanks for just being. However, the questions, “Who Am I?” still gnawed at my soul. For me to answer this question is to step back and review what I am not.

I am NOT the scared and tortured nine-year-old living in the home of a pedophile.

I am NOT the battered young mother of three living in the home of a sadistic abuser.

I am NOT the disillusioned Navy sailor living in fear of another physical attack and rape.

I am NOT the angry Black woman raging against institutionalized racism within academia.

I am NOT the lost woman searching for love from all the wrong men.

So, who am I?

I am the woman who is accountable for her life.

I am the woman who is responsible for her self-awareness.

I am the woman who is self-motivated.

I am the woman who is self-empowered.

I am the woman who is responsible for loving herself first so that I can love others.

Most important, I am ME. I cannot be duplicated. I am love and am lovable by those who truly are self-aware.

So, today, I was asked one of the most profound questions, which cannot be answered in this brief commentary. It can only be answered by each of my actions second-by-second. Therefore, I will continually work on pursuing the truth to the question, “Who Am I?”