day 261: i am

It's been a long day, full of teaching, and going to school, and celebrating two friends' birthdays, but it started off with me rewatching this, and I can't get it out of my head.  Again.  My friend Charrette also referred to the ideas in this video in her post.  So, in addition to these two beautiful things I have seen, and heard, and read, I want to add my own thoughts.

I am not my body.  I am not just about cellulite across my belly, or my longer second toes.  I am not just about my developing crows feet, or tomboy-scarred knees.  But if this is true, then I am also not about the parts of me I mind less; meaning, I am not about brown eyes or a decent-shaped nose.  I am not about freckles across my chest or olive skin.

I am what I come from.  I am sent from heaven for a purpose.  In my life I have grown fat with babies, and then fat with love as I have tried to give more than I have.  I have been filled up with affection for my husband after being emptied by giving it at the same time.

I am bigger than my 5'2" frame allows, not because of my own accomplishments, but because of my unbordered, unbound inside.  I am my interests and my thoughts and my feelings more than I am my outside casing.  I embody the hope of every generation before me, back to my heavenly beginnings.  My body is here as a vehicle for my spirit, and I choose to respect it for that reason, but I do see beyond it.

As a tribute to yourself, I ask that you leave a comment that states some things about your inside/spiritual self that helps to define you. 

20 comments

Becca | May 7, 2010 at 5:56 AM

Ooh. Perfect. I want to try. I am my decisions and their consequences. I am my sense of humor made solid. I am unfathomable spirit and tangible joy.

Happy weekend, with your wonderful thoughts!

Charlotte | May 7, 2010 at 6:18 AM

I am my love of reading and math and history. I am the moments with my children that stop time and take my breath away. I am the hours sitting by the ocean listening to the waves and watching my children play.

Connie | May 7, 2010 at 6:52 AM

When I saw this video a few days ago, that truthful statement jumped out at me.
I am my love of family. I am the product of hard-working, God-fearing, fun-loving ancestors.

Miss Brandy | May 7, 2010 at 8:07 AM

I am the trust I give to fellow men. I am the hope that I find in my children and your children. I am the good more than the bad that I dwell on.

Thanks K, love ya!

Luisa Perkins | May 7, 2010 at 8:25 AM

I am the worlds I create inside my brain. I am every character I bring to life on paper. I am the delicious cuddle in my toddler's neck and the sharing of ideas and jokes with my older children. I am the touching of lips and hearts and hands with my husband.

Kazzy | May 7, 2010 at 8:41 AM

I AM feeling some major affirmations here. Thanks, everyone. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Lara Neves | May 7, 2010 at 8:55 AM

I am the desire to serve others. I am the beauty that is all around me, a gift from my Father in Heaven. I am time spent with those I love most, present in the moment and savoring every second.

Juliana | May 7, 2010 at 10:13 AM

I am a mother, a woman, a friend, with all the blessings inherent in those small words.

And I am grateful.

CHERRANNE | May 7, 2010 at 10:47 AM

I am Lucky and blessed to be Your Friend, Kaz! You forgot in Your I Am list to Put.. I am The Bossest Homie EVAH! :)

amber_mtmc | May 7, 2010 at 11:30 AM

I am a product of the past, a hope for the future. I am the protector, the provider, the lover. I am the daughter send from above doing her best to make her way back home.

Heidi | May 7, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Ooh, it's hard to follow all of that but I'll give it a go. I am an ordinary person, both inside and out, yet I am someone with the potential to be someone quite extraordinary, just like everyone else. I am a child of God.

Bonnie | May 7, 2010 at 1:58 PM

Beautiful, powerful things, words are! I've often thought that there's reason God first introduced himself to Moses as "I AM." I exist; I live; I am, forever. I am filled with life: I am the trees, the breeze, the sun is real because I let it in my skin. I am every smile I've ever smiled; I am as deep as the well of every tear I've cried. I am, because of I AM. I am glad.

Robin | May 8, 2010 at 12:57 AM

This is a beautiful post. I wanted to comment when I first read it but every time I started to think about my "i am" statements my head hurt more. So I will do so another day and send it to you then.

But I liked this post.

Kimberly Vanderhorst | May 8, 2010 at 8:09 AM

What a beautiful post, Karen. Truly.

I am, for joy or pain, rooted in empathy. I listen. I absorb. I hurt with those that hurt and rejoice with those that rejoice. I am a yearning to be more than this. To plant the seed of my spirit and to grow good fruit. To touch others and be touched. To leave this world with more love in it that when I first arrived.

Lola Sharp | May 8, 2010 at 9:25 PM

I am...in love with this post.

Happy Mother's Day, K.

Love,
Lola

Katy | May 8, 2010 at 11:06 PM

That was really neat, Karen. Thanks for sharing it. I am going to try to think of this lady whenever I am ashamed of how I look and also try to remember her example of being so grateful for the time with her kids!

I am trying to get this earth life right.

:)

Luann | May 10, 2010 at 11:58 AM

Beautiful.

I am a daughter of God. And I am grateful to be your sister.

Jenny | May 10, 2010 at 3:39 PM

I just watched the video. I am now sitting in a puddle of tears. My trails seem so small now. My body image, well "i am" not my body! Thank-you so much for such an inspiring post.

charrette | May 11, 2010 at 10:18 AM

I am exuberance. I am light. I am an ocean of love.

charrette | May 11, 2010 at 10:20 AM

I love everyone's comments on this post. And I love your last paragraph!