Who am I?

I represent me. This, by all accounts, is a revolutionary statement. If it is at all unclear I will make it plain. I am defining who I am and who I wish to become. Other than the divine being, no one else can make that claim for me.

I was in the midst of a conversation with colleagues the other day and was told by them who they felt I represented. It was a crazy moment indeed. Because I knew their intention was not malicious and truly meant to help me, nor was it the first time such words were spoken to me by them or others, but it also spoke to a larger idea for me. Often people--some who know you and more often than not, those who don't--make a decision in their own mind about who you are and what you can become. This was no 'ah ha' moment for me in the least. I have known this forever, and like so many times before, I allowed those outside of me to think what they will and then go about proving who and what I am all over again. Often surprising them yet again with my skill, grace, humility, tenacity, and "slight neck roll attitude" that says 'think again'. Yet in this moment I have decided to write this piece for me, for them, and for those who read this and need assurance that you define who and what you are--no one else does unless you allow it, unless you let those parameters go unchallenged.

I heard a pastor say once "don't let someone do your thinking for you because they can't do your living. don't let someone do your living for you because they can't do your dying"

Tiffany definition: brown girl; African American woman; African American Christian woman; African American heterosexual Christian woman; African American heterosexual Christian married woman from the South; African American heterosexual Christian married woman who <3 her family and friends, fights for freedom & justice, struggles with balance, found her voice & calling at 10 years old, whose tongue can be sharper than her right, and knows any other explanations if necessary will end all doubt. I AM BOXLESS, deal with it!