Who am I?

Seems like it should be an easy question to answer, but it can be exceedingly hard. A few weeks ago I was inspired by Lindsay Moreno who challenged an audience to define their social media in 10 different words. The words could be anything that you would be happy for others to use to describe you. After weeks of working and comparing words (do I want to be sassy or feisty? Sensitive or tender? Smart or intelligent?) I finalized this list. However, It was not an easy task. I had to take a tough look in the mirror and decide, who am I?

For better or worse, take it or leave it: I am spiritual, beautiful, smart, sensitive, audacious, passionate, inspiring, strong, sassy, and creative. I am Lindsey, hear me roar. I dare you to do this too. Think of 10 words that you would love to be described as. But be honest with yourself. Is that hard? Is it hard to think of 10 words that are positive that describe you? Squash that little negative Nelly in your head and get to writing. I can’t wait to see who you are. #whoamI

Spiritual: of, relating to, or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Of or relating to religion or religious belief.

I have a sense of powers out there so much bigger than anything in this world. Since I was raised primitive baptist (look it up, it’s amazing) the songs of the church are with me always. I see universal forces (call it God, call it whatever you like) in the air, water, and sky. I see it in life and death, in history and the present, and I see it in all of our lives. I’m grateful that I connect with the deepest roots of the earth and the tallest reach of the sky.

Beautiful: pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically. Of a very high standard; excellent.

Do go on. Tell me how pretty I am, how much you love my skin. I eat it up all day long. And if you really want to know what I use on my face to look so good: filters. Especially that Snapchat pretty filter. That thing is amazing. Upper R snap credit: Thomas Diasio (no filter).

Audacious: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. Showing an impudent lack of respect.

You think I won’t? I will. I’ll jump off a cliff, move to London, serve on faculty at the University of Zambia and drive for hours into the middle of the bush to meet a shaman, grow a garden in the middle of the winter, and call off my wedding and drive up the outer banks of North Carolina to DC just because I can. In other words, I will take bold risks. Moreover. . . sometimes my audacious little mouth gets the best of me and I get the label of know-it-all or bossy.

To be clear, I’m not bossy, just the boss.

Creative: relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. A person who is creative, typically in a professional context.

When I think of creativity it isn’t just my chalkboard art, juice, cooking, singing, dancing, acting and photography. I absolutely love to grow food and very literally create something out of almost nothing. I love to plant a seed and watch it grow into something that is more beautiful that I could have imagined. It brings tears to my eyes.

Sassy: lively, bold, and full of spirit; cheeky.

As I was creating these posts I had the hardest time narrowing down the pictures for sassy. I am full of sass. I sing, I dance, I jump, I act, and I am silly. Basically, I am absolutely in love with this crazy thing called life. Upper Right snap credit: Thomas Diasio.

Inspiring: having the effect of inspiring someone. Inspire: fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. Breathe in (air); inhale.

For this post I found pictures that you posted of me or things I had given you over the years. I’m humbled. I don’t know what it is or how I do it, but somehow I inspire you to do something different. I breathe life into your voice to pursue your dreams. Wow. What a blessed life.

I included the picture in the top center on purpose. When I first saw this pic I hated it. Hated it. I thought my arm looked fat. Then I forced that voice to shut up. At that meeting alone members came to me and said they had driven over 2000 miles to be there with me. Additionally, they had dreamt for over a year about the moment they would take a selfie with me. Hence, not a single one of them was worried about how my arms looked. So neither should I be. Acceptance is powerful; let’s all do it.

Strong: having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks. Able to withstand great force or pressure.

I will climb a mountain, swim in rough seas, scale a wall, climb to the top of a bridge even though I hate heights, and grab a mic in front of any audience without fear. I am strong. Additionally, I am long-suffering. I can put up with tough situations for a long time and take negative feedback. Things that would cause others to quit, I hang and deal with. That is to say, I am gritty and persistent in pursuit of goals.

Sensitive: quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences. (Of a person or a person’s behavior) having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others’ feelings.

This was one that I really struggled with: do I want to be perceived as tender or sensitive. Most people say tender. My boyfriend says that maybe this wasn’t the best word as it could be considered a negative. “Think about it Linds, what if someone thinks that you are over-sensitive. You’ll be that girl that just cries at the drop of a hat.” And I was like. . .”Um, have you met me?” It’s true. I cry at Hallmark commercials, I cry just because it’s Tuesday. I feel life very deeply, both the beauty and the pain.

This picture of me crying I took after getting feedback that a few members had complained to Jared about one of my social media posts and he texted me to ask me to take it down (But it’s funny! But it’s my most liked post ever! (no joke, it was)). Whoever said “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” was a liar. Words hurt. A lot. Choose them wisely.

I also am the first person to grab a puppy or a baby (especially a baby). Eating meat is something I limit because I know there is a needless murder of a sentient being that was required for me to eat meat. I stare at the sky with joy and sense the rain and wind and sun with joy. I love my friends fiercely, as well as my family and objects from childhood that have supported me extensively throughout my life.

The sad picture with my hand on my face is me after 7 numbing shots that were required to clean my teeth. Of course, even my teeth are amazingly sensitive. Confession: some of my front teeth are fake because they never grew in, and it has been a hard time on my teeth and gums. Not to mention all that bulimia when I was younger.

So take it or leave it, my feelings are on my sleeve. I am exquisitely quick to detect or respond to slight changes and I have a delicate appreciation of others’ feelings. As well as my own.

Passionate: showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief. Showing or caused by intense feelings of sexual love.

I love life, I love work, and I love my family and friends. A lot. Moreover, I love working to find creative solutions that inspire others to achieve their dreams. Whatever I do, I do it with my whole heart and mind and soul. And yes, I do love that man. A lot. It sometimes boggles my mind how easy things are with us.

Smart: having or showing a quick-witted intelligence. (Of a person) clean, neat, and well-dressed. Intelligence; acumen.

When I was a child it was very important to my parents that I was smart. As I have gotten older, I too have embodied the desire to constantly grow in my knowledge, wit, and and intelligence. I love to read, I love to be challenged on my knowledge, and I am grateful when others acknowledge my smarts: from winning the Clinical Skills Competition to graduating in the peer and faculty nominated top 5 of my pharmacy school class (which happens to be the #1 school of pharmacy in the US). From my relentless pursuit of knowledge and study, to applying these skills in direct patient care, to being featured on magazine cover as a leader in cutting edge pharmacy practice, to giving presentations all over the world in clean and neat clothing, I love being smart.

Who are you?

So? Come on! What are you waiting for? Let me see who you are on social media! #whoamI

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