This morning, while driving to the gym, I was scanning the radio in search of something to feed my soul. One punch of the button and Sexual Healing oozed from the speakers, reminding me once again why I had a crush bigger than Texas on Marvin Gaye. As delightful as it sounded, I wasn’t in need of that type of stimulation at 7:30 in the morning, in the midst of rush hour traffic. Another punch of the button summoned Steve Harvey and his morning troupe to my ears. Nope, I’ll have to save that for another time.

Frustrated, I told myself I would press the scan button once more and if I heard dribble, acid rock, incessant chatter or anything else that would disrupt my energy, I would switch off the radio and simply exist in my rolling silence. What I heard, however, was the tail end of a woman speaking, ending with, “. . . and I don’t know who I am.”

Those seven words, uttered with a sense of bewilderment and uncertainty, got me thinking. As a woman, do I know who I am? I mean, really? How can I go through life confidently if I can’t attach some semblance of identity to myself?

When I arrived home, I began to think about the Valerie that Valerie is. As I did a mental deep dive, I realized that I know myself pretty darn well. I have values, beliefs and, if crossed, a mean left hook. When I take stock of the intangible attributes that I possess, I love myself even more. There’s nothing wrong with loving yourself. Believe it. I love the woman that I am, and the woman that I am becoming, as I’m sure you love the woman who you have become.

Women…we’re complex beings. A mere list can’t begin to encompass all that we are. That, however, didn’t stop me from embracing many of my qualities – 52 to be exact (for no other reason than to honor my age).

I know who I am.

I Am . . .

. . . Valerie.
. . . a woman of midlife.
. . . sick and tired of being sick and tired.
. . . a conqueror.
. . . not afraid to speak my mind.
. . . as tenacious as they come.
. . . strong, intelligent and wise.
. . . silly when I want to be, serious when I need to be.
. . . who I am.
. . . a rebel with a cause.
. . . everything they said I couldn’t be and nothing I don’t want to be.
. . . priceless.
. . . true to my beliefs and not swayed by the crowd.
. . . golden.
. . . expanding my horizons every day.
. . . a lover of self.
. . . more than what you see on the outside.
. . . a force to be reckoned with.
. . . walking in confidence.
. . . trusting my inner voice.
. . . speaking my truth.
. . . not afraid of change.
. . . embracing all of me.
. . . in my element.
. . . living my authentic self.
. . . comfortable in the skin I’m in.
. . . birthing a new phase in my life.
. . . reaching for what I want.
. . . not a pushover.
. . . better than I was yesterday, but not as great as I will be tomorrow.
. . . separating midlife from crisis.
. . . rewriting my life assumptions.
. . . blazing trails.
. . . not invisible.
. . . rediscovering myself on a daily basis.
. . . a survivor.
. . . at a turning point.
. . . remarkable.
. . . not giving a damn.
. . . daring to go there.
. . . keeping my mind, body and heart in sync.
. . . determined.
. . . thrilled to be a woman.
. . . believing in ME!
. . . hotwired to do great things.
. . . just the tip of my own iceberg.
. . . am not an enigma.
. . . not done yet.
. . . a thinker.
. . . happy.
. . . like fine wine, getting better with time.
. . . so much more.

Who does this make me? I Am Woman.

So…who are you?