The “I Like Who I Am” Game
Hey folks,
Something a little bit *different* today . . . (And kind of scary.)
In the video above I describe a simple exercise you can do to blast by negative thought patterns, focus on what you actually LIKE about yourself (and realize just how MUCH there is to like in the first place) and generally live a happier, healthier, more fulfilling and more awesome life.
Below you’ll find two documents that should compliment this video pretty well.
1. Text of the document I’ve got up on the screen during the video so you can play the “I Like Who I Am” game yourself.
2. Text of what *I* came up with when I played this game the first time for myself. A little bit “frightening” putting this sort of thing out there, but if you want to contribute you’ve got to go first.
I’d highly recommend you try playing the “I Like Who I Am” game yourself. (If the idea of playing the game scares you, that probably means you SHOULD play it. Doing things that scare you is a fast path to an interesting life.)
If you get something out of this, I’d be honored if you shared this video and idea with your friends, family, enemies etc.
And I’d be even more honored if you would share your thoughts or your own version of the “Game” in the comments below. =-)
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DOCUMENT TEXT FROM VIDEO:
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The “I Like Who I Am” Game . . .
(If you’re like me, this will be Scary)
Here are the rules:
1. Open up a document or piece of paper. Up at the top, write “I Like Who I Am”
2. Start typing. Write “I like (NAME). I really do.” and then start writing out things that you legitimately like about yourself in the third person. Treat yourself objectively.
3. Doesn’t really matter WHAT it is. Could be physical (“I like my eyes.”)
4. No “Wiggle Words” . . . (I like my body except for my thighs which suck).
5. Focus on the positive. Be HONEST. Even when it feels uncomfortable.
6. Write until you run out of things to say. Keep writing even if you’re uncomfortable.
7. Notice how it makes you feel.
8. Keep it to yourself, or share the whole thing with friends and see what they come up with. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can post what you come up with as a reply to this blog.
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Chris’ First “I Like Who I Am” Game
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“I like who I am.”
Which, you know what, I do.
I like Chris Haddad.
He frustrates me sometimes.
But I like him.
I like his smile . . . especially when it comes out for real. There’s something sort of joyful and bemused in there and a knowing glint in the back of the eye. And the dimple is really cute.
I like his brain . . . Chris says some of the WEIRDEST things of anybody I know. I sometimes wonder what it must be like in there with that much spark and activity going on.
I like the way he looks. He’s not model-quality handsome, but Chris is a good looking guy.
I like his body. He’s tall (but not too tall.) He’s in pretty good shape (with a little bit of a gut that he can suck in really easy.) He’s covered in fur but doesn’t seem to mind.
I like how talented Chris is. He has a hard time talking about it, but Chris is good at a lot of stuff. He plays hand drums like a mad man, makes up ridiculous songs, is VERY funny, is a heck of a writer and (this is more important) can often cut right to the core of what’s bothering someone and give them permission to be ok.
I like how much Chris cares. If anything, he cares too much. He spent YEARS tamping down his emotions but when he lets himself you can just see the empathy flow out of him. He gives some of the best hugs I’ve ever seen. If he thinks you’re in pain, he’ll grab on to you and won’t let go. There’s a whole storyline to a hug and Chris brings you through the whole thing.
I like Chris’ sexuality. Chris loooves women . . .but in a playful, goofy, fun way. Sometimes I think that Chris has a hard time really “Letting go” with women unless he feels really safe and taken care of . . . but he’s so into touch and pleasure and making people feel good that it’s pretty inspiring.
I like the quiet moments Chris has. I like funny chris, but I like him best when he lets that fall . . . when you see his face slack and open. When looks you right in the eye and you can see to that little boy who loves you.
I like how loyal Chris is to his friends. He’s not always there when you want him, but he is always there when you NEED him. Chris will bend over backwards and fold himself in half for a real friend.
I like Chris’ ENERGY. Standing next to him is like standing next to a live tesla coil. It’s really annoying sometimes when you want quiet, but sometimes I just hold space while he’s bouncing around next to me . . . it’s like a pack of hungry, goofy wolves are going to tackle you with hugs.
I like Chris’ darker side. He fights it so much, but sometimes that grinning evil comes out. And it’s not really that evil at all. If you dress it up in polka dots it’s not even scary. It’s just fun.
I like Chris’ hands. They are big and strong and made for kneading muscles, gently pulling hair, grabbing asses and making you feel safe.
I like how much Chris loves kids. He is a big bear of a man but is the best I’ve seen at relating to a 6 year old. If Chris ever has children, he’ll be a passionate father.
I like Chris in a crisis, when the goofiness fades away and he does everything he needs to to make things ok.
I like Chris’ pain. Chris has been through a lot in his life. And while I wish a lot of it hadn’t happened, it’s given him a priceless gift. Chris knows what it’s like to hurt and is really good at being there for people who are also hurting.
I like Chris’ wit. Chris thinks he’s dumb sumtimes . . . but he’s got a quick brain that does loops around most people.
I like Chris’ independence, but I wish sometimes that he was better at asking for help.
This is kind of a fun game. I might play it more later.
But the end result is that I really do like who I am.
Comments
About Author
Jeff October 7th
Here goes Chris. You asked for it!
I like Jeff. I really do.
I like it that Jeff is open about wanting to have sex with many women yet remains faithful as a lion to his girlfriend of 12 years.
I like that Jeff is a bull. He must have inherited it from his Italian descendants who worked their asses off when they got “off the boat.”
I like that Jeff is a hard worker. He’ll work all hours of the night to get a job done. He won’t settle for cheap shit and will only pump out the best he’s got.
I like that Jeff has a knack for supervising others. He does it in a very straightforward and responsible way. He expects a lot out of himself and just as much from the people working with him.
I like that Jeff trusts everyone first. He only starts to distrust you when you repeatedly do untrustworthy things to him.
I like Jeff’s sense of humor. He doesn’t understand jokes very well but laughs his ass off when someone trips or falls. It’s not that he’s slow. He just doesn’t get the damn joke!
I like Jeff’s way of cutting through the bullshit. I think he would be good at raising kids: They wouldn’t be able to get away with much.
I like that Jeff places the health of his body and mind at the top of his priority list. He trains yoga 3 to 4 times a week to “stop the f #c$ing voices in his head” for about 90 minutes a pop. He squeezes in a round of Capoeira after yoga on Mon, Wed and Friday nights to keep up with his cardio and queixadas.
I like that I feel safe around Jeff. He may look all skinny but he’ll kick your ass if you mess around with him, his girlfriend or someone he loves.
I like the fact that Jeff is consistent with his beliefs. He doesn’t let himself get away with the classic, “Oh, I’ll just stuff my face with one more brownie” shit. No means no.
I like Jeff’s hands. When they are in loving mode, they can make a girl feel real good. When they are fighting mode, they will f*ck you up. When they are in construction mode, they install some nice kitchens.
I like Jeff’s passion for foreign languages. He incessantly listens to Brazilian and Spanish speaking music to always keep his edge. He’s listening to Jorge Ben Jor right now on Pandora.
I like how ballsy Jeff is. He’s got the guts to drop a successful career to pursue a new passion. I can’t do that. I don’t know he does it. I guess he’s done it enough to be used to it.
Lastly, I like the fact that Jeff is going public with a little more personal side of his. He tends to be real, real quiet about what he likes and what he thinks he’s good at. Bravo, Jeff. Bravo!
Dominic Canterbury October 7th
Wow! Damn fine post. Looks like you like Haddad as much as I like Haddad.
Jim Rodante October 7th
Chris, this is very cool. Just like you.
Jeff, that was hilarious. Probably moreso because it’s true. I guess I can relate being Italian my self…you talkin ta me? Funny bro.
Lee Ann Hamner October 7th
Chris, I loved the video and made my list. Here it is:
I like Lee Ann, I really do!
I like her sense of humor. Lee is a fun person to be around. She thinks it is important to laugh every day.
I like Lee’s beautiful eyes. They change color with her moods and are most beautful when they are green.
I like when Lee smiles. Her eyes light up and sparkle. She also has beautiful teeth and takes pride in them. She was a dental hygient for over 20 years and a clean mouth is important to her.
I like Lee’s parenting skills. Her children have all grown up to be awesome productive adults. Lee has fun with her kids and they love and respect her and would do anything for her.
I like Lee Ann’s work ethic. Any job she has ever had has been important to her and worth doing well. When Lee really enjoys her job, you can recognize her commitment by the way she talks about her work.
I like her intelligence and the way Lee tries to constantly learn new things.
I like that Lee reads every chance she gets even if she can’t always remember what she read.
I like that Lee has the guts & determination to file for bankruptcy because this was one of the most difficult decisions she has ever had to make. Plus, I like that she is learning to live her life using cash only!
I like that Lee is honest and sincere, telling things the way they are and usually able to do so without hurting anyone’s feelings. What a talent.
I like that Lee is getting every aspect of her life in shape. She is working on getting her condo decluttered, neat and clean, while also getting her body in shape by lossing 50 pounds.
I like that Lee Ann is such a passionate person and it shows in every aspect of the way she lives her life! Congratulations, Lee! I would like you to be my best friend.
Chris October 7th
Hey Lee Ann and Jeff . . .
Great stuff. Thanks so much for sharing. Spread this around so we can get some more “players” =-)
Betsy Talbot October 7th
Chris, I love this! Last week I started the “Who’s Doing it Right” series to showcase the good floating around out there, and this will be a nice complement to turning that attention inward. I’m planning to share it with my readers on Friday and will link to your blog. Thank you for taking the time to do this and sharing your results.
Kathleen Hanover October 8th
Hi Chris,
THANK YOU so much for sharing the “I Like Who I Am” game.
Last week I did some pretty hardcore mental roto-rootering with help from my hypnotherapist, an NLP practitioner and a business coach. I was making a lot of progress! But then I had a really disappointing setback this past weekend when a budding romance died on the vine.
I was feeling pretty down on myself, and pretty out-of-sorts, until I started playing your game.
Wow!
This was EXACTLY what I needed. It was the perfect process to solidify the great work I did last week, and it really helped me gracefully navigate around the pothole in my road to True Love.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing this. Your timing was impeccable!
My list kept getting longer and longer as I gave myself permission to be nicer to myself than I often am.
I know I will refer to this list again and again, and keep adding to it as my life gets increasingly richer and more wonderful.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Kathleen
Ben Harper October 9th
This is hard to do, but was fun!
Here’s mine:
I like Ben, I really do.
I like how I care about other people and am helpful
I like my ability to make money for my clients
I like my eyes
I like the way my lips look.. heheh
I like my web designs
I like my connection with nature and the out door world
I like my appreciation for alternative health
Add Yours
YOU