Who Am I?

It’s important to ask yourself.  Who are you?  You’re the only one who experiences life like you.  Experiences shape views of what’s right, real and true.

These beliefs then shape our experience.  Positive beliefs create more positive experiences.  I was a different person before I began to believe that.  I recently started listening to positive affirmations while drifting into dreams, and now they travel through my thoughts throughout the day.  Beliefs are crucial to the lives we’ll live.

We all have a story.  It’s shaped who we feel we are, and it continues through this moment.  In this moment, right now, the vision of who we are shapes the story we have yet to experience.  I love hearing the stories of others, so in less than 1,000 words, here’s mine:

Who is “Paul”?

I’m born in the summer of 1997 to the best mom I could have asked for.  Soon after walking and talking I’m dancing and singing with a love for music.  I run around and explore anywhere I go.  I have endless energy and I’m usually found with a big smile on my face. 

In my early years I believe what I’m told as the truth.  With privilege surrounding my life, I don’t really see it.  I feel protected and trust that the grown-ups know what they’re doing.  I figure it’ll all make more sense when I’m older.

I’m given obstacles to overcome throughout life, just like anyone else.  Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am.  Every challenge leads to growth if I can learn from it.  I find myself putting an optimistic spin on any situation I face, even before I know how important it is to do so.

I start playing on a drum set when I’m 8, and soon after I’m in my school’s band.  I love all kinds of music games, and I sing in middle school chorus and two musicals.  Then I join my high school’s band and drumline. 

My best friend is in color guard.  The first time I see her, before I ever hear her speak, she completely stands out to me, more so than anyone I’d ever seen.  She stays on my mind and I wonder why.  I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.  She starts talking to me soon after.  I don’t find out for another 6 years that I stood out to her first.

After high school I don’t know what I want to be, so before college comes I choose a business major, like so many others who feel unsure of their future as a teenager.  I’m interested in why people think the way they do, so I add a Psychology minor. 

I go on some incredible adventures: a month sea kayaking and sailing in the Pacific Northwest, and weeks canoeing and portaging in Ontario.  Yet even after these beautiful, breathtaking, life-changing experiences, the true beauty of life lies outside of my awareness.  

It isn’t until a warm fall day in 2016 while visiting a small area of woods that I feel as if my eyes truly open for the first time.  I see how tiny I am on a global scale, yet how much of an impact I have on the world.  I feel for the first time as if my life isn’t any more important than the lives of the plants, animals, and fungi going through the same cycles of life around me.  My perspective shifts entirely as I begin the discovery of a new focus, passion and mission.  I add an Environmental Studies minor soon after.

I now go from a class teaching about how businesses have affected our environment to a very different class about how our environment has affected businesses.  Then I go learn theories on why we think so differently.  There’s no going back once you see so much evidence on how we cause a mass extinction from both a business and environmental perspective.  A focus on environmental justice is also a focus on social justice, as the two are entirely interconnected.  I now carry this knowledge with me everyday and see it in everything we do. 

In the fall of 2017 I get another change in perspective as I reconnect with my love.  She teaches me the meaning of manifestation, the importance of gratitude, the power of meditation, the experience of the spirit molecule, and so much more; she gives me the gift of my spirituality.  As soon as I start having faith in this ancient idea of how life works, the evidence from my everyday experiences makes my new beliefs grow stronger and stronger. 

So from college educations to spiritual realizations, what do I do with all this information?  Well I need to ask myself again, who am I?

It took me a long time to realize I’m made to make music.  I’d always dream of being in a band in front of a crowd of fans, but it isn’t until I believe it’s possible and visualize how it feels that I actually start moving towards who I feel I’m meant to be.

My mind is constantly subconsciously coming up with melodies.  If I ever go on a run without music I’ll start making beats to my breath before I even realize I’m doing so.  I just need to learn how to use what’s in my head to create music that others can enjoy.

I start collecting music in 2012 after my brother gives me ~50 albums to listen to.  By 2020 I have an organized system of over a hundred playlists that I add to almost everyday.  I love sorting my favorite feelings and improving this collection; I always will. 

Musicians have the power to share emotions and understandings in incredibly influential ways.  Music is more than sound; like any art form, it’s an expression of spirit, made possible by practice.  Now that I’m playing with a guitar, loop pedal, and singing voice, what feelings do I want to share?  I need to ask myself, again, who am I?

I’m an artist with a dream to help influence hope, health, and happiness in any way that I can.  I’m passionate about creatively helping as many lives as possible to live more comfortably, freely, and peacefully.  I’m an optimist who can help transform negative situations into positive outcomes.  I love learning new ideas about life and how others experience it.  I’m biocentric and hope to help grow a respect for all life.  I’ll change over time as I learn from others, improve my skills, and grow my awareness.  I’m motivated to spread loving energy and share my beliefs, as well as the wisdom of others.  I’m a free spirit with dreams to achieve what I believe I’ll see and succeed in who I believe I’ll be.

Who Are You?

We are who we believe we are.  Our beliefs influence what we do, consume, and feel.  This, in turn, influences our beliefs.  If I say, “you are motivated, talented, healthy, helpful and hopeful,” what comes to mind?  Do you believe me? 

If doubts arise, forgive yourself.  No one is perfect.  Try forgiving others and focusing inward.  Take deeper breaths, notice how you feel, and accept who you are in the present moment. 

We all have different lives with different challenges, and you should follow beliefs that work for you, regardless of what others think.  I think that the more you feel positively about yourself, no matter where you are now, the more you will improve over time.  Follow what helps you to love yourself and others.  If you are open to being a loving being, know that you are worthy of love.