Be careful what you say “I am” to
For years, we at Empowered Mastery and United Martial Arts Centers, have utilized “I Am” statements to help our students and clients identify with a value that they want to have to improve their self image. For example, we will have individuals repeat in their mind or out loud, (mostly in private) at a moments notice when they need to call on a virtue for that moment. If someone needs confidence to perform, meet with a client, or whatever, they will say, “I am confident!”, throw out a fist pump and get in to a peak state. The mind is prepared to crush whatever it is they want to do. It works incredible as long as the values align with the moment.
Here’s the challenge we currently face. Most people are not aligning the “I am” to a virtue or value but a political party, organization or movement. “I am” a democrat or “I am” a republican, “I am” pro masks, “I am” anti-masks, “I am” pro Trump, “I am” pro Biden”, “I am” pro BLM, “I am pro police”. There is so much with the “I am’s” that the perception is that if you are “Pro” something, you are against the other. Could you see how this could be a problem? There is so much confrontation and division because of this. Instead, perhaps people should say, “I believe” in what the organization or someone stands for and represents. This way, you base who you are “I am” with your personal values and could then align those values with whatever you believe in. Does that make sense?
I believe we should consider saving the “I am” for the values and virtues you want to have, to be a better human being. Perhaps if we do so, there would be a bit less division and a bit more unity. I pray this happens sooner than later.
