Today's passage, “Who Am I?” You may have asked yourself this question at some point in your life.  I know I did around the age of 39. Who Am I is also a famous song from the hit Broadway show, Les Misérables. I have heard this song thousands of times but it wasn’t until my own spiritual awakening that the lyrics carried more meaning. This song also came to mind when I began to question my life purpose.

The song goes, “Who am I? If I speak, I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned…Who am I? Can I conceal myself for evermore? Pretend I'm not the man I was before? And must my name until I die. Be no more than an alibi? Must I lie? How can I ever face my fellow men? How can I ever face myself again? My soul belongs to God, I know. I made that bargain long ago. Gave me hope, when hope was gone. Gave me strength to journey on Who am I?”

Jean Valjean closes the song with “Who Am I? I’m Jean Valjean, 2-4-6-0-1! He references both his given name and the prison identification number chosen by a man he barely knew, Victor Hugo, who had dedicated his life to chasing and intimidating him. Hugo believed Jean Valjean was conceived on June (6) date (24) 18 (01) and so this was his original prison number before he escaped. Of course, neither his name nor his prison number personify who he really is.

Just the other day, I told someone that they reminded me of a Chameleon because Chameleons easily blend in and adapt to their environment and in this example, I was referencing different types of social situations. For Chameleons in the wild, it’s a survival skill to camouflage with their environment and hide from predators.  It’s a similar thing for us humans. When children grow up experiencing dysfunction in the home they learn how to blend in and not draw attention to themselves often when there are siblings, one will blend in more, also known as the, ‘good child’ and the other will standout more, also known as the, ‘bad child’ or the ‘rebel’. Sometimes a child will vacillate between blending in & rebelling.  And this falsehood continues into adulthood.  In extreme cases, it could mean blindly following orders or pushing back on authority running infractions with the law. 

Whether we blend in or standout, we are living falsely in an egoic state. We are activating our ego in understanding the life source of the ego is fear.  It’s fear that supports our hiding and it’s fear that supports our rebellion.  Fear of not being accepted, fear of others and not wishing to make waves and rock the boat, so we blend in.  Fear of being controlled, fear of losing something precious (a job, money, title, validity), so we rebel against authority.  

What if we all chose to take off our masks, step into the present moment with love and authenticity. To leave behind all pretense?  

In my mind, the only way to live authentically is to live honestly and openly without fear or intimidation from society, culture, family, friends and others.

So, I am placing a link to Hugh Jackman’s rendition of Who Am I  in the details section of this episode. It’s fantastic and worth a listen. 

Also, If you liked this episode, please rate and review this podcast. I so appreciate your support. With Love…

And remember, in the end, although Jean Valjean sang, “If I speak, I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned!” He didn't stay silent, he spoke his truth, stepped into presence and lived in authenticity.

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