Who Am I? (aka Identity Theft)

At the end of any given day I think we all go through the highs and lows of highs and lows.

I know that if I've been productive and creative and added something of beauty to the world then I usually feel good about myself at the end of the day.

If I've worked out and eaten healthy I usually feel good about myself at the end of the day.

If I've been slacking on things that I want or need to do sometimes I feel bad about myself.

If I compare myself to the seemingly flawless adonis who is running through the park; nearly naked, and permeating sex appeal, self confidence, and overall perfection through every bead of glistening sweat dripping down his back...I sometimes feel bad about myself at the end of the day.

It is in these times of 'down' that I have to ask myself "Who Am I?"

Who is the person who looks back at me from the mirror?

Who is the real me?...not the me who is feeling inadequate, unproductive, or maybe even unloved in the throws of life's circumstances.

The me who is inside...creating life, creating love, creating experiences that bring joy to others..to the people I love...to the people I may not even know personally but have somehow touched through my actions, that is the me who makes me feel good about myself at the end of the day.

I am Val. I like to sing and write songs. I like to cook. I don't like to do dishes.

I love to sit at home with my love watching tv or listening to music...sometimes ballroom dancing (after a few glasses of wine) in the living room of our bungalow apartment.

I like to make my family proud. I like to be around children. I like to hear the sound of my daughter's laughter.

You get to decide who you are. Isn't that empowering?

Two days ago I was a victim of identity theft. Someone, somehow got enough information about me and my bank account to withdraw several hundred dollars from my account.

I had to call the bank and say 'That wasn't me.'

I have to file a police report. My account is now frozen. All of this is being investigated and looked over with a fine tooth comb by the 'identity theft' department.

All of this will resolve itself in time and in the grand scheme of things is inconsequential.

But when I spoke those words 'that wasn't me...I didn't do that' It made me realize that though someone can steal your bank account number, steal your pin number, steal your money...they cannot steal your true identity. Only you are who you are and no petty thief can take that away from you!

So tonight as I lay my head down on the pillow I will feel good about the fact that I get to choose who I am, how I respond to the circumstances life throws my way, the kind of character that I present to others everyday and hold dear in my heart of hearts in my private being.

I am me. There will never be another me.

I vow to be the best me that I can be!