Who are you?

I was reading a poorly written book this past week. There were almost no "aha" moments or times when I was learning something new. In fact, the writer didn't make sense. Hmm, maybe that was his goal. There seems to be a lot of promo books coming out that give you just enough so you want to buy something else. They used to be called vanity books. I just think they have taken a little different direction but with the same end results in mind.

Oops, a little off subject.

One of the questions that this author asked was, "Who are you?" Well, I've heard that question before as I am sure you have as well. For some reason I continued the thought by writing, "Catherine Franz is (who)?"

After a panicing moment (or two), okay maybe three, I recentered myself and began to write my thoughts in my journal about this. "Catherine Franz is..." etc. My inner critic was having a blast during this process but there was some honesty mixed in with this process. A side of me that I didn't want to really acknowledge. I guess the saying that there is a dark side to all of us is true. Because during this process it emerged. Of course, along with the good stuff too.

Nonetheless, it felt like I was staring in the mirror of another person. Yet, after a shower, I could see how some of these "dark sides" were playing out in my life. Boy, was I anger now. But its bugged me. I wanted to know who Catherine was now and who I wanted to really be. So I kept exploring. And exploring. And exploring. This was a deeper question then I really wanted to spend the time on. All I could do was keep justifying with, "I'm worth it!"

It took a while of getting through what I could uncover during this process. In fact, it was very life changing. I made a commitment to change three things immediately and then to relook at this question on a regular basis.

Now I ask you this question. Have you ever asked yourself this question and put it to writing? If now, I highly recommend it. And I'm almost sure that you will find some dark spots too. We all do. Celebrate it though. Because as long as we stay in denial and don't acknowlege them, they will pop up in our behavior from time to time. I can remember one such incident when it appeared when producing my last television show. Ick, I surely didn't want to acknowledge that side of me. But once you do, acknowledge it that is, it no longer is part of your dark side.

I challenge you. Ask the question, "____ is ...." Explore it. Give it some attention and some space. Most of all give it acknowledgment and celebrate who you are.