I Am..

****Please Note – Real Simple People has changed it’s URL address and can now be found at The 100%YOU.com. Same great posts, new domain and still me, John Sherry. See you there!!****

 

Editor’s Note: Today’s post is a guest post from Frank Jennings of A Spark Starts blog.

I am..

Who defines you?
What defines you?
Who are you?

LIFE

There has been so many times in my life where I have been categorized and defined based on things that I had no control over. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, surrounded by poverty, drugs and crime. Statistics said that I would either be locked up or dead by the age of 21. Statistics tried to define me.

While driving home from work when I was in high school I was pulled over, intimidated, and searched because the cop felt I didn’t belong in the neighborhood where I worked. He didn’t like the way I talked or the music I listened to. I was a victim of racial profiling.  Race tried to define me.

PEOPLE

I haven’t always made the best decisions in my life. I can honestly say if being ignorant was a competition, I would have taken first prize. The things I did and the people I hurt (emotionally) in the process will never forget what I have done. Our past tries to define us.

Often my intentions are misunderstood because people make assumptions based on my personal appearance, the language or vernacular that I use, or my religious beliefs. Opportunities have been missed. Doors have been closed. Why? Because our perception tries to define us.

Is it my intellect, my education, or my social status that demands respect? Is it my 3 piece suits, house on the hill or my Mercedes Benz that commands the world’s attention? I get it, maybe its the name brand on my shoes, clothes, and dashboard that makes me who I really am. Our material possessions try to define us.

Well I don’t know about you but I can’t, I refuse to, aggressively reject anyone’s misconceived definition of who and what I am. The only person who can define me is me. The only person who can define you is you.

So, in my dictionary this is what you will find next to Frank Jerome Jennings II.

I am more than a conquer.
I am a distributor of peace.
I am a massive factor of positive change and inspiration.
I am not my past.
I am confident enough to get back up when I fall.
I am limitless in love.
I am bold in faith.
I am pure in spirit.
I am…
In order to be 100% you it begins with knowing 100% of what you are and what you are made of. I may not know you personally but I know you were created with purpose, molded through your challenges, and purified by the passions of life. I told you a little bit about who I am.

My question to you today is;

“Who do you think you are?”

Be that 100% – the world needs people just like you.

Frank Jennings is the founder of A Spark Starts where he writes inspiring stories to help others reach their full potential. He writes with purpose. He writes with passion. He writes for you.

So who are you? What can you add, ‘I am..’ to as being  YOU? Come on spill the beans…!

Image courtesy of Hannah Nicole

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