I Am Me

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Hand-drawn art by Rupali Bhuva
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Ich bin ich
von Virginia Satir

Ich bin ich. Auf der ganzen Welt gibt es niemanden, der genau wie ich ist. Es gibt Personen, die einige Teile wie ich haben, aber niemand ist in der Summe genau wie ich. Deshalb ist alles, was aus mir hervorgeht, authentisch mein, weil ich allein es so gewählt habe.

Mir gehört alles an mir, mein Körper mit allem, was er tut; mein Verstand mit all seinen Gedanken und Ideen; meine Augen mit den Bildern von allem, was sie sehen; meine Gefühle, was auch immer sie sein mögen ... Wut, Freude, Frustration, Liebe, Enttäuschung, Aufregung; mein Mund und alle Worte, die aus ihm entspringen, höflich, süß oder grob, richtig oder falsch; meine Stimme laut oder leise. Und alle meine Handlungen, ob sie andere oder mich selbst betreffen.

Ich besitze meine Fantasien, meine Träume, meine Hoffnungen und meine Ängste. Ich besitze alle meine Triumphe und Erfolge, alle meine Misserfolge und Fehler. Weil ich mich in allen Teilen besitze, kann ich mich intim mit mir vertraut machen. Dadurch kann ich mich lieben und mit mir in jeder Hinsicht befreundet sein. So kann ich es möglich machen, dass mein ganzes Ich in meinem Sinne arbeitet.

Ich weiß, dass es Aspekte an mir gibt, die mir Rätsel aufgeben, und andere Aspekte, die ich nicht kenne. Aber solange ich freundlich und liebevoll zu mir bin, kann ich mutig und hoffnungsvoll nach Lösungen für die Rätsel und nach Wegen suchen, mehr über mich zu erfahren.

Wie immer ich aussehe oder klinge, was immer ich sage oder tu und was auch immer ich in einem bestimmten Moment denke oder fühle, das bin ich. Das ist authentisch und zeigt, wo ich in diesem Moment bin. Wenn ich später überlege, wie ich damals aussah oder klang, was ich sagte oder tat und wie ich dachte oder fühlte, könnte mir manches unpassend erscheinen. Ich kann das Unpassende entsorgen und alles behalten, was sich als passend erwies und etwas Neues für das erfinden, was ich entsorgt habe.

Ich kann sehen, hören, fühlen, denken, sprechen und tun. Ich habe die Werkzeuge, um zu überleben, um anderen nahe zu sein, um produktiv zu sein und um der Welt der Menschen und Dinge außerhalb von mir Sinn und Ordnung zu geben. Ich gehöre mir selbst, und deshalb kann ich mich entwickeln.

Kernfragen zur Reflexion: Wie stehen Sie zu dem Ansatz, die Verantwortung für "mich" zu übernehmen und damit die Freiheit, "mich zu entwickeln"? Können Sie eine persönliche Geschichte aus einer Zeit erzählen, in der Sie sich Ihre Konditionierung zu eigen gemacht und Ihre Freiheit in Anspruch genommen haben, an Ihrer Entwicklung teilzuhaben? Was hilft Ihnen, engagiert zu bleiben, um Lösungen für die Rätsel über Sie selbst zu finden, während Sie in Freundschaft zu sich selbst verwurzelt sind?

Ich bin ich und ich bin okay.

_______________________
Grundlegende Fragen zur Reflexion: Wie stehen Sie zu dem Ansatz, die Verantwortung für "mich" zu übernehmen und damit die Freiheit, "mich zu entwickeln"? Können Sie eine persönliche Geschichte aus einer Zeit erzählen, in der Sie sich Ihre Konditionierung zu eigen gemacht und Ihre Freiheit in Anspruch genommen haben, an Ihrer Entwicklung mitzuwirken? Was hilft Ihnen, engagiert zu bleiben, um Lösungen für die Rätsel über Sie selbst zu finden, während Sie in Freundschaft zu sich selbst verwurzelt bleiben?

_____________________
Virginia Satir war Autorin und Familientherapeutin, die diesen Text schrieb, als sie mit einem Mädchen im Teenageralter arbeitete, das viele Fragen über sich und den Sinn des Lebens hatte.


Seed Questions for Reflection

How do you relate to the approach of taking ownership of 'me,' and therefore, the freedom to 'engineer me'? Can you share a personal story of a time you took ownership of your conditioning and claimed your freedom to participate in your evolution? What helps you stay committed to finding solutions to the puzzles about yourself, while being rooted in friendship to yourself?

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26 Past Reflections
SD
SDP
Jan 23, 2026
I am me and I am unique, and that even proves at the airport where they take a picture of my eye to know who I am. How easy it is to forget ourselves and forget who we are. A divine being that co-creates this thing called life.
AN
Angela?
Jan 20, 2026
this shows me that im me and im unquie
BR
brielle
Jan 20, 2026
I think "I am me" means that you own you, No one can control you or be you, and Not letting people choose for you.
BR
Jan 20, 2026
Nigga
JA
Jan 20, 2026
To take ownership of you is to understand that everything unique of you that is distinct from other people and to not try to boast or brag about those things but to treat them with reverence and respect because they are a gift from God that one must tap into. Also, other people can either help or hurt taking ownership of the self. Sometimes self has to be denied for the sake of a better cause (Mark 8:34) When taking ownership of yourself it is important to realize that it does not matter what other people think or say about you, but how you think or say about other people. It really comes down to "are you treating another person the way you want to be treated" (Matthew 7:12) despite how other people treat you. Sometimes, taking ownership of yourself requires enormous sacrifice. To pursue true spirituality I had to give up studying Japanese, one of the subjects I really like for a month. It was painful, but I endured by the grace of God. Sometimes self-defeat is a moment of self-real... View full comment
GA
Gabriel
Jan 20, 2026
well it means alot and nothing because this "I" means them not me so their not talking about means so it means nothing
AL
Alexis
Dec 1, 2025
me ayudo a que tengo que ser mas paciente y amoroso conmigo mismo
SW
Sarah Wersan
Oct 11, 2025
I read this poem today because it was referenced in a book by Kathryn Hope Gordon, Ph.D. I'm glad I did! I think that, just as kindness towards others brings out the best in them, kindness towards myself can do the same.
DO
Dot
Apr 15, 2025
I have a poster I AM ME copyright on it is 1975 i’ve had it for a while wondering if I should discard it
AC
AC
Oct 23, 2024
This approach is crucial because it encourages you to define success and happiness on your own terms, allowing you to lead a more intentional and authentic life. When you take ownership of 'you,' you stop being a passive participant and instead actively engineer your future based on your values and passions just be more open, true, honest to yourself.
VD
Vladimir Diaz
Mar 8, 2024
As I write this reflection, I am honestly not missing the sense of being brutally honest with myself and everyone around me. I know I am always myself because I enjoy being authentic and genuine. I feel that in order to love others, I first need to love myself. I am always myself, which some people dislike, but I do not enjoy being an influencer. I am humble, kind, and full of love for everyone around me. I sometimes wonder if others around me realize how much security and love I provide simply by being myself.
AA
Aaliyah Jul 31, 2024
Awesome reflection we identify you got the understanding correct. Thank you Aaliyah***
GB
Feb 1, 2024
Yes I feel
JO
Jon
Jan 7, 2024
Beautiful
GB
Geeta Bansal Feb 1, 2024
In relationship work shop
TA
Tats
Jun 15, 2021
To take ownership of you is to understand that everything unique of you that is distinct from other people and to not try to boast or brag about those things but to treat them with reverence and respect because they are a gift from God that one must tap into. Also, other people can either help or hurt taking ownership of the self. Sometimes self has to be denied for the sake of a better cause (Mark 8:34) When taking ownership of yourself it is important to realize that it does not matter what other people think or say about you, but how you think or say about other people. It really comes down to "are you treating another person the way you want to be treated" (Matthew 7:12) despite how other people treat you. Sometimes, taking ownership of yourself requires enormous sacrifice. To pursue true spirituality I had to give up studying Japanese, one of the subjects I really like for a month. It was painful, but I endured by the grace of God. Sometimes self-defeat is a moment of s... View full comment
AJ
Aj Jun 15, 2021
I love! "Taking ownership of self takes enormous sacrifice. ... etc."a
SU
Susan
Jun 15, 2021
We are the sole directors of our lives; we write the script for our own journey, though outside influences can take us off our path, we get to choose which road to take. I learned to stop being manipulated by others who fell off their own path and used my energy to fuel their own. This "sucking" the life out of me came to a halt when my own health began to decline. We can choose to stay "stuck" in stress, or stay true to ourselves and who we are and where we are going.
JO
Jo Jun 15, 2021
Amen Susan! Amen. As I think of you, I will pray for you! Be true to yourself! You are the only "you" in the the world! Be you!🌱
ID
Jun 14, 2021
I realize my inner & outer being are 2 different identities- I AM CONTENTMENT & Happiness 'WITHIN', & just a human being 'without'. I AM THAT. . . A proud father, Working to create a legacy for my son, my family I love to work with passion & integrity in my heart. . . I love running, Running & more running in the rain, heavy rains, especially in the typhoon that lashed China 3 years ago, Yesssssssss, I ran 5.4 kms in the typhoon & it was so so heavenly. . . in winters & in winter rains too, especially when it's foggy, just me & my two feet- Alone one stride at a time, slowly but surely, as if there is no tomorrow, Running ahead of the past. . . That moment is mine & Only mine. I AM THAT... I believe Compassion & Forgiveness are the highest virtues of life, & that TIME will mold me into a complete human being, & that there is nothing deeper than a Mother's love Or higher than one's respect for father. I AM TH... View full comment
DD
Jun 12, 2021
Virginia Satir was a good lady and therapist. I liked and learned from her. I am the result of what life does to me plus what I do with life. I was dealt a hand; how I play the hand is up to me. I have limited freedom and power to engineer me. I take ownership of all that. As for my conditioning, I long ago learned to own it and I claimed my freedom to participate in my evolution, each of which is an ongoing process. What helps me stay committed to finding solutions, which are partial and temporary, while being rooted in friendship to myself is my knowing that I am to grow,ongoingly own and become more of who and what I am, and my faith in fostering friendship, that is, kindness and care, toward all creation including myself. Unfortunately I'm often less kind and caring toward myself than toward others which is one of those puzzles I continue to address.
KP
Jun 12, 2021
What struck me is the individualistic view shared "I am me..... everything about me is authentically mine"

I am me because of you.♡

Stated with compassion for each of us who live in societies that place so much emphasis on "individual responsibility" for fixing or figuring out. What about all the external impacts that deeply influence who that "me" is? What about familial, gender, cultural, societal norms that tell us stories about who we are supposed to be? What about ancestors whose traits we carry? What about traumas we've survived?

This is all to say, while embracing our beauty, grace, uniqueness & gifts, also honoring we are not created in a vacuum. ♡

I am me because of you.♡
S
S Jun 17, 2021
Thank you, Kristin. I had similar feelings. We are all so intertwined, connected in ways that aren't always apparent in the moment. The pandemic brought that awareness to many, some for the first time, and I hope that learning is not forgotten.
DE
Debra Oct 24, 2024
I am me because of you suggests the possibility that without that other person, you are what - less than? Nothing? Makes me think of my narcissistic ex-husband. I believe what most attracted him to me was my naive willingness to put him front and center. These many years later, I firmly believe it is best to be your own self because that is who you are. Others may add to that, as you wish, but it is important not to permit others to diminish you.
JP
Jun 11, 2021
Who am I? What am I? Who is me? What is me? These are important questions about my true and authentic identity. It means taking ownership of me. Ownership of my mind-thoughts and ideas; ownership of my feelings and emotions; ownership of my actions; ownership of my triumphs and failures; ownership of my whole self. I do not hide myself from my own self and also from others. This is Me. When I accept myself as I am I amfree toengineer me; to change me. Taking ownership of me frees me frommy socially,culturally, and religiously conditioned self. I loved and married the love of my life born and raised in a different caste, class and religion. Both of us followed our inner voice and faced all kinds of challenges together and grew by going through them. Authentic self creates and sustains authentic and flourishingrelationships. Life presents challenges and puzzles. How do I face them makes a big difference in my life. If I close my eyes to the challenges and puzzles or deny them, I stifle... View full comment