After reflecting on an artist’s work, I realized that, like them, I have different layers or branches. I translated this idea into my own life, thinking about where to focus my energy, especially when life throws so many different messages and ideas your way. I thought about it more, and I asked myself, “Who am I?” And the moment I asked that, my mind flipped the question: “I am who…?” and I could finish it with “I want to be.” Meaning, I am what I choose to be. I can be whoever I want to be. We don’t need to go around searching for something or someone to become when we can literally choose it ourselves. There are billions of possibilities for who you can be. So, who you choose to be is entirely up to you. You can be one version of yourself for a day, a month, years, or even a lifetime, or you can be a different version every day.

I started to imagine the different versions of myself. What if I were a writer, a healer, an inspirational speaker, or the best designer out there? What would my life look like? I have to say, my visions are always detailed. My mind is great at visualizing things. I can see every design idea in my head, down to the smallest detail, before I ever put it on paper. So, the different versions of me were completely different people, each one carrying the best qualities I had, tailored for that version. These are my branches—me in different forms.

So today, as I write this, I’m definitely in “writer mode.” I’m curled up on my couch, wrapped in a soft blanket, sipping warm tea, with a soothing aroma in the air. It’s quiet and peaceful. I’m in my sweatpants and a loose shirt, and the words just flow. We can tap into different versions of ourselves whenever we need to feel the power of that version.

If you’re struggling with what you should be, or desperately searching for some answer, I challenge you to think about this: What or who would you like to be today?

When my grandmother had Alzheimer’s, and her mind didn’t work the way the world expected, my parents, unfortunately, didn’t always know how to handle it. But she imagined very different versions of herself, and that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with that. Why can’t we just play along? If she wants to be the queen of Africa, then why not let her be that?

If you’re familiar with the idea of animal totems, then you know that you can harness their energy when you need it.

I remember a few years ago, I was walking home from an event. It was dark, and even though I grew up in the neighborhood and always felt safe, that night I felt a little uneasy. So, I imagined a bear walking beside me, its powerful presence giving me strength. My grandfather was a hunter, and I remember he had a huge bear skin on his wall, so I thought, why not? The bear felt like the right companion. And just like that, I felt stronger, braver, more secure. It’s also a psychological thing—people who show fear, who make it visible, are more likely to be targeted by attackers. But if you walk with confidence, with strong posture, you’re less likely to be bothered. You can have an animal as support, or you can simply tap into its qualities within yourself. You can imagine yourself as anything.

Just the other day, I imagined myself as water. I was watching Doctor Strange, and there was a line: “By surrendering to the river, you can master it.” And I thought, what would it feel like to be water, to be part of the ocean? I’m not mastering it yet, but it’s an interesting exercise I do sometimes—imagining myself as a plant, a cup, or whatever. The simplest thing for me to imagine myself as is light. I picture myself as a pearl-shaped light, alive and vibrating, constantly growing and shining brighter. There’s an energy around me, like wings, strong and curved, black or deep blue. These wings protect me, shielding me, creating a safe space for me to grow.

I know some people struggle to imagine things, to visualize. If that’s you, try to feel it first. Get into the character. If you have kids, you know how easily they slip into role-play. So, tap into that childlike part of yourself.

I remember this commercial where kids were given a task: “If you were a CEO, what would you do?” One little girl didn’t write anything. When the teacher asked why, she said, “I’m waiting for my secretary to arrive.”

So, don’t waste your time looking for something to be when you can choose it right now.