Empowering the I AM

Empowering the I AM means actively defining who you are and using that definition as a guide for the things you do in life. In this world, it is easy to get lost in the labels. At work, I am a registered nurse and realtor. When I go home, I am a wife, mother, and teacher. With these labels come a set of responsibilities and more often than not, they define who we are. They become a crutch or life support. We use them every day but are unaware of the role that they play in our lives. We passively accept labels. What happens when we remove those labels? Who are we at our core?

Take a step back and think: who am I, who do I want to be, and what is my purpose? While this sounds simple, for me, it was a difficult thing to do. I don't like being vulnerable or talking about myself. Moreso, I never felt like I had the time. I was too busy being everything that those labels said that I was and forgot to nurture me. It's like taking care of a plant. All plants come with detailed instructions about what they need to thrive. Some plants require up to 12 hours of sunlight to grow. Other plants don't require as much sunlight but need a constant source of water. Similar to a plant, we should identify the things that we need to thrive in life. These things are different for all of us, it's what makes us unique. I've realized that I enjoy helping others; I've realized that I need to feel secure, so I rely on my faith. I've also come to realize that I am at my best when I have support.