I Am Me, by Virginia Satir

मैं , मैं हूं| द्वारा वर्जीनियाँ सतिर
मैं, मैं हूं|पूरे विश्व में मेरे जैसा कोई नहीं है| कुछ लोग हैं , जिनके कुछ हिस्से मेरे जैसे हैं, परन्तु सारे जोड़ कर भी , पुर्णतः मेरे जैसा कोई नहीं है|इसलिए जो कुछ मेरे से बाहर आता है, वो वास्तविक रूप में मेरा ही है, क्योंकि सिर्फ मैंने ही उसे चुना है|
मैं ही मेरी हर चीज़ का स्वामी हूं, , मेरे शारीर और जो कुछ भी वह करता है: मेरा मश्तिष्क और उसका सारा चिंतन और उसके विचार; मेरी आँखे और जो भी छवियाँ उनमे समाई हैं; मेरी भावनाएं , जैसी भी हों, जैसे, क्रोध, आनंद, प्रेम, निराशा, उतेजना की भावनाएं ; मेरा मुंह और उससे बाहर आने वाले समस्त शब्द चाहे वो विनीत, मधुर या रूखे, सही या गलत हों; मेरी आवाज़ तेज या शीतल| और मेरे सारे कार्य , चाहे वो किसी और के लिए हों या मेरे अपने लिए|
मेरी कल्पनाएँ, मेरे सपने, मेरी आशाएं, मेरे भय , मैं ही इनका स्वामी हूं| मेरी कामयाबियां, सफलताएँ, विफलताएं, गलतियों का स्वामी भी मैं ही हूं| चूँकि मैं ही अपने सर्वस्व का स्वामी हूं, इसलिए मैं अपने आतंरिक रूप से वाकिफ हूं | इस तरह मैं अपने आप से प्यार कर सकता हूं और अपने समस्त हिस्सों से मित्रता रख सकता हूं| उसके बाद ही मैं पूर्ण रूप से अपने उच्चतम हितों के लिए कार्य कर सकता हूं|
मैं जानता हूं कि मेरे कुछ पहलू हैं जो मुझे पहेलियाँ लगते हैं, और कुछ ऐसे पहलु हैं जिन के बारे में मैं नहीं जानता | जब तक मैं अपने प्रति प्रेम एवं मित्रता की भावना रखता हूं, मैं दिलेरी एवं आशावादिता के साथ उन पहेलियों के समाधान खोज सकता हूं और अपने बारे में और जानंने के तरीके अपना सकता हूं|
पर मैं किसी भी समय , जैसा भी दीखता और लगता हूं, जो भी कहता और करता हूं, जो भी सोचता और महसूस, करता हूं, वो मैं ही हूं| ये ही वास्तविक है , और मैं इस समय कहाँ हूं, दर्शाता है| बाद में जब मैं स्वनिरिक्षण करता हूं, मैं कैसा दिखा या लगा, मैंने क्या कहा या करा , मैंने क्या सोचा या महसूस किया, तो ऐसा लगता है मेरे कुछ हिस्से अनुपयुक्त हैं| मैं अनुपयुक्त हिस्सों की छंटनी कर सकता हूं, और उन हिस्सों को रख सकता हूं जो उपयुक्त हैं, और छंटनी किये गये हिस्सों के बारे में कुछ नई रचना कर सकता हूं|
मैं देख, सुन, महसूस, सोच , बोल एवं कर सकता हूं| मेरे पास जीवित रहने के साधन हैं, औरों से आत्मीय रह सकता हूं, उत्पादक हो सकता हूं, और मेरे से बाहर के संसार और व्यक्तियों में मायने और व्यवस्था देख सकता हूं| मैं ही मेरा स्वामी हूं, और अपने आपको गढ़ सकता हूं|
मैं , मैं हूं, और मैं ठीक हूं|
मनन के लिए बीज प्रश्न : इस दृष्टिकोण से आप कैसा नाता रखते हैं, कि मैं स्वयं अपना स्वामी हूं, और इस कारण मेरे पास अपने को गढ़ने की आज़ादी है? क्या आप ऐसे समय की कहानी साझा कर सकते हैं, जब आपने अपने आपको , अपने अनुबंधन ( conditioning) का स्वामी माना हो, और अपने आपके विकसित की आज़ादी पे अधिकार जताया हो? आपको, अपने आप से मित्रता की भावना रखते हुए , अपने आप की

Virginia Satir was an author and family therapist who wrote this poem when she was working with a teenage girl who had a lot of questions about herself and what life meant.

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?

Moved by this reading? Join a live Awakin Circle to discuss in community.

Join this week

More ways to connect

Join a Metta Circle

Practice loving-kindness meditation together

Explore peer-learning pods

Small groups diving deeper into shared themes

Start your own local circle

One living room, one intention — we'll help

Add Your Reflection

26 Past Reflections

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.

Angela?

Jan 20, 2026

this shows me that im me and im unquie

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.

Brayden

Jan 20, 2026

Nigga

jayden

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

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

Alexis

Dec 1, 2025

me ayudo a que tengo que ser mas paciente y amoroso conmigo mismo

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.

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

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.

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.

Aaliyah Jul 31, 2024

Awesome reflection we identify you got the understanding correct. Thank you Aaliyah***

Geeta Bansal

Feb 1, 2024

Yes I feel

Jon

Jan 7, 2024

Beautiful

Geeta Bansal Feb 1, 2024

In relationship work shop

Tats

Jun 15, 2021

Aj Jun 15, 2021

I love! "Taking ownership of self takes enormous sacrifice. ... etc."a

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 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!ðŸŒ±

inder dutt salwan

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

David Doane

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.

Kristin Pedemonti

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.â™¡

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. â™¡

I am me because of you.â™¡

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.

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.

Jagdish P Dave

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