Journal_7_i_am

Every once in a while, I come across something that just hits home. About a year ago, a friend sent me this poem in an email. I was just amazed at how much this poem reminded me of my son. I decided to write to the author and ask for permission to use it.

Thank you, Terri, for writing something that has so deeply touched my heart. I can only hope that my son, in time, will come to read these words and appreciate them as much as I do.

I AM ME

I am not my hair, my eyes, my nose or my mouth.
I am not my skin or the shape of any of my body parts.
I am not the IQ of my brain.

I am not the sound of my voice or the volume of my laughter.
I am not my strengths or any of my weaknesses.
I am not the level of my skills.

The temple of my physical makeup is a culmination of genetics.
It reveals nothing about the person who resides within.
I take no credit or point no blame for the way I look.
My temple is perfect, as is.

This body is not who I am.
It is an exquisitely perfect dwelling for my soul.
Everything about it is exactly as it should be.
No other, anywhere, ever, could serve my soul as well.

I am not anything you can see with your eyes
or touch with your hands. Should you judge me
by that criteria, you will never know me.

I am not a dumping ground for bias that's based
on a man-made standard, and I do not accept the
prejudice it creates.

I am a union of body, mind and spirit, a trio, not a solo.

To know me, is to know yourself.

Those who hear the voice of their soul, recognize the song
in mine. They do not stop at the front door and judge me
by the dwelling in which I reside. With a humble sense of
honor, they knock upon the door and ask to come in.

The judgment of others does not change who I am.
Quite the opposite is true. It reveals who they are.

Those who deem me unworthy at a glance and pass me on by,
have my blessing to keep walking, for they have a long way to
go. They have not reached the point in their journey where
they are able to see and appreciate me for who I am.

I expect no more. I will accept no less.

© 2001 Terri McPherson
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
terri@wisehearts.com
WiseHearts.com