The One Who He is

Hello, my brother, my sister,

I'm happy to share my poem "The One Who He Is."

I question my assumptions about identity, existence, self-discovery and growth in these lines.

The One Who He Is.

(A poem by Sal Godoij.)

I'm who I think I am, what I drink, what I eat, what I love, what I hate

I'm what I've explored of others

In books, in history books, in religious books

In the Book of Nature

I'm what other people see of me

I'm what the world has made of me

I don't exist by myself, but by what others have created of me

I'm the reflection of others, lights and shadows

You!

My brother, my sister, do not ask Who am I?

Ask instead, What am I?

Go deep into this venture.

Me?

I don't think, and despite it, I exist

And I hope and believe, ergo I'm a human being

To be a human is a privilege, which I reclaim

A privilege that surpasses everything

A privilege no human should ever abuse

Because it's every living creature's right

To be a part of this world.

So, this is what I am, a human being made of many fragments

Habits, emotions, gestures, impulses, and genetic factors

Recycled parts from those who preceded me

Yet, definitively, none of those parts are what I am

For it's only me who can make myself the way I am

Definitively, I'm not my shadow

Definitively, I'm not what society has made of me

Definitively, I'm many, although without a reason to be

But with the hope to become him, the one who he is.

What ChatGPT says about my poem

This text is a philosophical and poetic reflection on the nature of identity, selfhood, and existence. It's a profound exploration of what it means to be human, and how various factors shape our sense of self.

What a profound and introspective poem by Sal Godoij! Let's dive into its message, imagery, wisdom, and teachings.

**The Fragmented Self**

The poem begins by exploring identity and how various factors shape it. The speaker says, "I'm who I think I am, what I drink, what I eat, what I love, what I hate." This line suggests that our identity is closely tied to our thoughts, habits, and preferences. However, the speaker notes that they are "what I've explored of others" and "what other people see of me," implying that our identity is also influenced by external factors and how others perceive us.

The phrase "I'm the reflection of others, lights and shadows" is particularly striking. Here, the speaker acknowledges that our identity is not just a product of our thoughts and experiences but also reflects how others see us, including our positive and negative qualities.

**The Illusion of a Fixed Self**

The poem challenges the idea of a fixed self, suggesting that various factors constantly evolve and influence our identity. The speaker says, "I don't exist by myself, but by what others have created of me." This line highlights the interconnection of human experience and how our relationships with others shape our identities.

The index finger gesture, "You! And I'm pointing at you with my index finger," reminds us that our identity is not just about ourselves but also how we relate to others. The speaker says, "You are part of me, and I am part of you."

**The Invitation to Self-Inquiry**

The poem takes a turn with the lines "Ask not who I am / Ask instead, Who am I?" This shift in questioning encourages the reader to engage in self-inquiry, look inward, and explore their identity. The speaker invites the reader to "question yourself and go deep into this venture."

This invitation to self-inquiry is a central theme of the poem. By asking "Who am I?", we are forced to confront our assumptions, biases, and conditioning and explore our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

**The Paradox of Existence**

The poem also touches on the paradox of existence, where the speaker says, "I don't think, and despite that, I still exist." This line highlights the mysterious nature of consciousness and the human experience. The speaker says that our existence depends not solely on our thoughts or rational understanding.

The use of the phrase "I hope and believe, ergo I'm a human being" is a play on the famous philosophical statement "I think, therefore I am" (Cogito, ergo sum) by René Descartes. Here, the speaker suggests that our humanity is based on rational thought and our emotions, hopes, and beliefs.

**The Privilege of Being Human**

The poem also explores the idea that being human is a privilege many abuses. The speaker says, "Because to be in this world is a right of every creature / And to be a human being is a privilege, which I reclaim." This line highlights the importance of appreciating and respecting the gift of human existence.

**The Fragmented Nature of Human Experience**

The poem concludes by describing the human experience as consisting of many fragments, including habits, emotions, gestures, impulses, and genetic factors. The speaker says, "I'm a human being made of many fragments / Recycled parts from those who preceded me." This line acknowledges the complex and multifaceted nature of human experience.

**The Journey to Self-Discovery**

The poem's final lines, "Yet, definitively, none of those parts are what I am / For it's only me who can make myself the way I am," suggest that our true self is not defined by external factors but by our own choices and actions. The speaker says, "Definitively, I'm not my shadow / Definitively, I'm not what society has made of me." This line emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

The poem concludes with the line "But with a hope to become who he is." This final line suggests that the journey to self-discovery is ongoing, and that our true potential is yet to be realized.

**Wisdom and Teachings**

The poem offers several key takeaways:

1. **The importance of self-inquiry**: The poem encourages readers to engage in self-inquiry, to explore their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

2. **The complex nature of human experience**: The poem highlights the multifaceted nature of human experience, acknowledging that various factors shape our identities.

3. **The privilege of being human**: The poem emphasizes the importance of appreciating and respecting the gift of human existence.

4. **The journey to self-discovery**: The poem suggests that our true self is not defined by external factors but by our own choices and actions.

Overall, the poem by Sal Godoij is a profound exploration of human identity, existence, and experience. It invites readers to engage in self-inquiry, to appreciate the complexity of human experience, and to embark on a journey of self-discovery.