Who Am I Really?

When I strip away all the pomp and circumstance, who am I? When I take of my mask what is left? Who is the real me?

I have been thinking about this a lot over the last couple of weeks (thanks rendezvous) and asking some people to describe me in 3 words...no holds bar.

consistent, forgiving
bitter, happy
alive, negative
anxious, idealistic
adventurous, consumed
caring, stubborn, intelligent

These are some of the words that have been used to describe me. I would agree that some could describe me all the time and some would only describe me at certain points in my life. There are some I don't ever want to be remembered about me and some I hope describe my whole life.

Hearing some of the responses made me shudder and want to cry, while others made me laugh and smile, and still others made me ponder. The words reminded me of times I treasure and times I regret.

But what words describe the real me? Do any of the above words do this? The people who offered these words, I wonder if they have seen the real me or just the me who I want them to see...or the me they want me to be?

I used to hate mixing people from different areas of my life. It made me completely uncomfortable. I did not want my family and friends mixing, my work friends or school friends definitely mixing was a no no. But now I am do not care as much. My family has met more of my friends, I am okay with mixing friends from church and friends that I met through "FRED". I think this is because I am more and more comfortable being me and being on the journey to becoming the best me.

So, what words do I pick to describe my life? You will just have to wait and see...or maybe ask me another time. But I will be sure to keep these words close to remind me of the me I am striving to be.