“I am” is a powerful statement in and of itself; it is also powerful as a starter. What you follow “I am” with defines who you are, at least in your mind, and helps to guide how you show up in the world.

I am. In its basic form states existence. God declared I am that I am; therefore, “I am” is considered to be one of God’s names.

“I am” can be the answer to a question. “Are you going to hike that mountain today?” “I am.”

You can follow “I am” with a noun or an adjective. You can use it to define who you are and how you are. You can use it to declare a fact or an opinion.

“I am a wife, I am a mother, I am a friend, I am a sister, I am a daughter, I am a nurse, I am a wanna-be painter, artist, writer, I am a forgiven child of God.”

“I am smart, I am capable, I am funny, I am talented, I am creative, I am strong, I am silly, I am gullible, I am trusting, I am weird, I am easily manipulated, I am tired, I am hopeful.”

We are each a lot of things. We can declare who we are with an I am statement, out laud, or using our inner voice. Think about what you declare. Do you proclaim yourself to be wife/mother/sister/friend/your occupation or do you declare that you are a loser/victim/user/failure/not this or that? Do you tell yourself you are pretty/valuable/worthy/smart/capable or do you look in the mirror and say you are fat/ugly/not good enough/unworthy/unlovable/lazy/beyond redemption?

When you look in that mirror and say “you are so…” who are you talking to? You are saying “I am…”. Whatever you say, if it is a declaration of anything other than positive and affirming, it is damaging.

I have seen the videos of moms teaching their little girls to say an affirmation every morning “I am strong. I am beautiful. I am worthy. I am smart.” That’s all fine and dandy but really unnecessary. Little kids (for the most part) don’t need to say those things. They are born with self esteem through the roof and knowing their worth. It is society and older people around them that break down that complete trust in their abilities and sense of self.

Ask a four year old and a forty year old female what they would change about themselves and a child will struggle to come up with something and the woman will have a list as long as her arm. While a little one may wish for fairy wings or a tail, an adult will wish for less cellulite, better hair, and fewer wrinkles. A child may wish for something to be added and an adult will wish for things to be taken away.

What if we looked at our “I am” statements more seriously and turned them on their head. What if the adults looked in the mirror and said the positive affirmations every day or every hour, if need be. Yes, teach the littles to be positive in their “I am” statements, but maybe do it by example.

How do you feel when you look in the mirror and say “I am so tired?” You feel tired. How do you feel when you look in the mirror and say “I am going to have a great day. I am ready?” You feel pretty good, pumped up. Try it. There is power in “I am.” You can use it for good or for not so good. You choose.