Comments on: That I Am

By: Instead of Play, Today’s Children Get Pressure : Sweet Fatigue

Instead of Play, Today’s Children Get Pressure : Sweet Fatigue — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:09:54 +0000

[...] I’ve written more about my personal experiences (and pain) with this over competitiveness in “That I Am”, which I also gave as a competition speech in 2007 – yes, the irony is not lost on [...]

By: johnson du

johnson du — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 06:18:54 +0000

Thank you for your sharing! I’m a student in mainland of china,i agree with your believes very much. however,many my friends around me is not doing what they love,not being what they are completely,and teachers teach us these thingsto some degree, i think it’s sad for these.I apreciate your style very much!
My English is not good,i hope you can understand me:)

By: Jane Chin

Jane Chin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:11:57 +0000

Walter,
You are rare! I’ve met more people who had to return to their native state of knowing their self-worth independent of external sources and not care about what others think. Your children are lucky – because you’ll be passing on this wisdom to them. Thank you for forwarding this on to those you feel it can help.

Karen,
I know exactly what you mean about active reminders of the self. Isn’t it funny how growing “older” means becoming more comfortable in our own skin, and even coming to appreciate the beauty in the wrinkles we have gained – literally and figuratively – from living a full life? That’s why I don’t mind getting older, and even look forward to each new year, because I know I uncover more of my self.

Lloyd,
I’m a work in progress too, and some days it feels like I’m a lot more work than I can handle, and I’m just waiting for the day to pass. I appreciate your feedback and comments, because I like knowing that what I’m sharing is universal, and knows no age limits. Thank you!

Michael,
You’ve made such an important distinction that I wish I’d known at your age, which is, “who” you want to be rather than “what”. By focusing on the “who”, you’ll naturally come into alignment with all the “what” you can ever be while alive, and participate fully in the adventure of life.

Thank you all for letting me know that this article means something to you, it’s feedback like this that keeps me writing and sharing.

Jane

By: Michael Banovsky

Michael Banovsky — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:26:33 +0000

Wow. I’m 24, and I can see how easily one can think, at this age, what will be best for the rest of their life. I have no idea what I want to be, but I think I know who I want to be. Your post is a great inspiration and I’ll refer to it in the coming years. Thanks, M!

By: Lloyd Lemons

Lloyd Lemons — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:31:17 +0000

Jane, I enjoyed this very much. As a young person I had to overcome incredible self-esteem issues. I too was raised to be “seen and not heard”. Today, at 56, I know the real me better than I ever have, but I also know that I will continue to learn more about myself. I still consider myself a work in progress. I also love listening and learning from people younger than myself. Thank you for another great post!

Lloyd Lemons

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:57:36 +0000

Jane, I always appreciate your insightful commentary and questioning. Even at 44, I have to actively remind myself that I am who I believe myself to be. I must actively practice self love and shut out the dark forces that seek to extinguish that life. Yet with age, you get better at being okay with yourself even as you continue to “become.” Beautiful post and wonderful words of wisdom!

By: Walter Reade

Walter Reade — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:55:17 +0000

Jane,

This is an EXCELLENT post.

Fortunately, I’ve never derived much of my self-worth from external sources. I’ve always been highly intrinsically motivated, and don’t really give a rip what other people think about me.

On the other hand, I know a number of people who would benefit greatly from this. I will be forwarding it on.

Walter Reade