Lost and Finding Joy

“Who am I?” is usually followed by, “why am I here?” and “where am I going?” These questions are the foundation of our very existence. I’m going to do my very best to answer this first question, however, the answers can’t be found in a single conversation, sermon, book, or even a blog. These resources can point us in the direction of the answers; but the answers are in a very quiet, hidden place, that cannot be seen. They’re found when we ask, seek and knock, and when we are still. They are discovered from within.

You may have heard what you are not — you are not your body, you are not the personality or the name you’ve acquired in this life, you are not your past, you are not your ego, and you are not what you do for a living.

You may have also heard that you are more than any of that. You are a spiritual being having a human experience. You are a son or daughter of God.

You can probably sense some truth in all the descriptions I just listed. But, how do we really get to know and connect with who we really are. Who are you really, and where are you hidden?

Our thoughts and the patterns we’ve developed thus far in our lives can block our true identity. Consider your thoughts right now as you are reading this blog. You might be saying all kinds of things to yourself about it.

Those voices inside your head will even argue with themselves. They may be saying something like: “This is taking too long to read.” “I want to finish it though.” “There may be something in here that will help me.” “I’m just going to keep reading.” “Maybe I’ll skim through the rest of it.” “I don’t know.” “I might miss something.”

Who is talking inside your head? Those voices are simply trying to make sense of what you are doing — all the time. They’re trying to make you feel like you are in some type of control of things.

Where are you in all of this noise? You are the one who can notice the voices going on in your head. You can notice your thoughts and how those thoughts are making you feel. There is a part of you that can sit back and observe all of it.

Emerson said, “Stand guard at the portal of your mind.” Who is standing guard? You are standing guard. The observer side of you can notice your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions. When your mind wants to judge something good or bad, you can notice that too.

There is a personality side of you that has been created throughout your life. Your thoughts, feelings and actions create your personality. We can change our personalities, our self-esteem, and our self-worth at any time. And…there is an infinite side of you also.

So, who am I? Who are you? We are the observers within our bodies. We are the part of us who isn’t judging anything. We are experiencing life, learning, growing and becoming. We are infinite, spiritual beings having a human experience. We are truly magnificent.