I Finally Know Who I Am
For so much of my life...
I was an extension
of someone else.
I was as much as I could be
what they expected of me.
I made decisions based upon
what they wanted me to make.
I wore clothes fitting their descriptions
of what they wanted me to wear.
I made the other person happy
because my happiness was secondary.
One day I realized there was no “me”.
I was empty framework held together
by the expectations of others.
For a time in my life...
I began to explore
my right to be me.
I began to display an
open hostility toward dominance.
I became aware of decisions
and timidly made choices for me.
I became aware of failure
because of my errors.
I learned to try again,
and that mistakes are merely detours
in the path to my goals.
And thus, this framework fashioned by others
began to fill with my feelings
and my opinions.
I gave my thoughts value,
took pride in my accomplishments
and reassessed my worth.
I personalized my faith
re-defined my beliefs
and drew nearer to God.
I’ve realized that ...
I like doing things for other people, but
I enjoy it more if I do them by choice
and not as an obligation.
Life is much easier to handle
if I’m solving problems
that belong to someone else.
Although I cannot change the past,
I can make different choices
and change my future.
I must allow my children to choose
their own decisions, regardless
of my feelings or advice;
for they, like me, need the experience
of failure as well as success.
If I do things I want to do,
then I’m more satisfied
doing things I ought to do.
I must take time to dream
and set aside moments of play
so I can escape from daily cares.
My writing is important to me
as it helps to put things within
their proper perspective,
and it is through this process
that I define who I am.
If I want something done,
I can’t wait for it to occur,
but I must make it happen.
If I don’t move toward my goal —
rather than expect it to
come to me,
then I’m stuck in time
with only my expectations.
Simply put...
Life is mostly what I make it to be.
m
Author notes
Written February 26th, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- True Self by SternBlinkin.
500 points, ended March 14, 2004, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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excellent
This is a very uplifting piece of work. It's well-written and personal, but general enough to be basic guidelines for other people who are trying to find themselves... or at least an inspiration. Great work! -
Just when I thought I was finally finding 'me', I see I still have so much work left to do!! LOL An absolutely fabulous write with a world of wisdom nicely packaged together!! I do believe that sometimes when you're a wife and mother, you do lose part of yourself. It's only right to work on their happiness and sometimes sacrifice your own...although, we should not sacrifice it all. And that is a good lesson to learn!! When you leave that little piece for yourself, then you are able to still keep growing and not lose the 'you' entirely. Anyway, there is so much more to this write than just that..and I think I need to read this a few times!!! LOL Thank you for sharing such inspiration and wisdom!!
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This deserves a standing ovation, honesty It's great to know oneself isn't it? This piece really moved me, I found myself reading and listening so to speak as I read it. There is really some great advice here as well, very insightful and an inspiration to read. Outstanding job on this Blessings and Hugs, Gypsy
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Very cool poem.. I had a conversation with a friend once that was very much like this poem. Too often we forget to define ourselves, and let others do it instead..in a way it's easier ..but it's so disappointing when their definition isn't good enough (for them) because they want us to be the individual we are meant to be ..or something like that. Anyhow..good writing, and good luck in the contest.
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Life is much easier to handle
if I’m solving problems...I Can Relate
Your Write Is Truly Inspiring!
Your Indeed Gifted
Take Care Of You....Never Change
Your Piece Is Amazing
I Read It 6 Times....
~Angel~ -
This was really a great poem. Thanks for sharing!
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VERY NICE YOU KNOW JUST HOW TO PUT IT I REALYY LIKED THIS POEM YOU ARE A GREAT POET KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND DONT LET ANYONE PUT YOU DOWN.........I NEED SOME POINTS SO I AM GOING TO TAKE UP SOME SPACE THANKS........................................................
Angel
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Very good!So true!
So very true!It can be a fight to be you,because,as a creative person,there are plenty of people who don't understand you and want you to "fit"into their mold.There is no faster way to death,than to try to be what everyone else wants you to be,especially since that's usually the opposite of what God made you to be.I developed Colitis and was severly ill from tryig to please other people.I just cannot do that.I have to find and fulfill the fulfill the person and destiny God has for ME!You see-you hit home with a lot of creative people on this one,because creative people are a misunderstood lot,as a whole and are especially original and individualistic! -
A very inspiring piece of self discovery. I think a lot of people can identify with this. Nicely done. Have fun. Steve
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I accidently discovered you today. This poem hit home for me, especially these words.....
"One day I realized there was no “me”.
I was empty framework held together
by the expectations of others."
I've been there as well. Today I am going to add you to my favorites. I think I am going to like your work.
Red
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Hi M, I loved your poem. I do believe that we all have to eventually come to the place that you say you are at. Some of us never get there; I hope that someday I will.
Damon D. Brewer -
This poem is absolutely great!! tis so easy to fall into the dominance of others without realising we are doing so, we begin to follow in the rut made for us by others, the path begins to be worn and we are not able to get out because we are in the trenches so deep, however, when we do begin to question the wisdom of living a life in this way, or of allowing others to dominate our world, our life, we see through the mist and realise that we DO have a choice, we CAN do something about pulling ourselves out of this rut made for us by others... I am able to empathise with you fully on this topic, for years my life was as this poem ... I can tell you this... once you have made the first step toward your independance, you will thrive and grow in your own right... well done!!! ~Katie~
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EXCELLENT! REALLY ENJOYED IT!
Wonderful poem! Your thoughts and beliefs are very similar to mine...I really enjoyed this and I'm happy that you now know who you really are. Great presentation...loved your poem and the picture!
<3 Maureen
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WOw!!!thats really so right...and expressed extremely good....yeah I guess we can all relate to this...most of us are never acting as themselves....sometimes we let things control us...and getting us lost so it would be a way harder to find ourselves...I believe we shouldnt never act or choose to do something on others believes or experiences....we really should experience as wat you said abover our own failure and success....thats what really make us learn or even becoming more as ourselves...failure aint a very bad thing...or even pain...we all do endure that...and wounds heal by time...we should always being ready to rebuild ourselves....I also believe that pain makes us much more mature and wiser...it makes us know how to truly act for later...so we can never pass again by the same wrong....
Btw I really liked those lines so much..
"One day I realized there was no “me”.
I was empty framework held together
by the expectations of others.
For a time in my life...
I began to explore
my right to be me.
I began to display an
open hostility toward dominance.
I became aware of decisions
and timidly made choices for me.
I became aware of failure
because of my errors.
I learned to try again,"
We should never give up on anything...we should always keep on giving it another shot....
btw i really loved the picture...it really expressed it all...
Wael
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I like this poem. A great lesson that many i hope will in time learn. For far too many people pretend to be how they are not "tis better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you're not."
Though you didn't say who YOU are. You stated HOW you got there, and the battle you went through. Thought at the end you did have this part:
"must take time to dream
and set aside moments of play
so I can escape from daily cares.
My writing is important to me
as it helps to put things within
their proper perspective,
and it is through this process
that I define who I am."
and i started to say now their gonna state who they are but that just stopped. What are your dreams, What is immportant to you, what makes life worth wild. Ya know? Who are you?
thank you for entering!
*Stern* -
ID LIKE TO SAY MY LIFE IS WHAT i MAKE IT TO AND I DID IT MY WAY ETC BUT unfortunately I dress for work to play a role - I work to pay the morgage - I love my family but would like a year or two off - best thing I do to keep sane is to make my life mine each day for a minute or two - when I find the time
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Talk about inspiration! I got alot of it from your poem and lately my veiws are becomeing the same!! Trying to find out who I am not who they want me to be.Tired of being every one but me!! Thank You so much it touched me in more ways than one!
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Very nicely stated. I like the way this is structured and the tone of this piece conveys a sense of hopefulness. This is lovely. I am glad you have gotten to that place. Everything takes time. I hope I get where you are someday too. Great accomplishment and keep the faith.
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