Journal #34-

As explained in the video we watched, there are three parts to self.  I would consider my self hard to explain because I do not always think about who I am.  Like most people, I am normally concerned with what other people see me as.  The three parts to self include the soul, who I perceive myself to be, and who others perceive me to be.  This last part is called the "true self".  When I think the soul side of myself, I think of Christianity.  I am a baptized Christian and have devoted my life to Christ knowing that he has covered my sins and taken my fall.  I can look forward to Heaven after I die because of His sacrifice.  So this part of my self is tied to me being a Christian.  The second part of self is who I see myself to be.  Often times this is not always good.  I doubt my abilities in many areas of my life, and sometimes lack confidence.  Most of the time I picture myself as better than I really am which is not always a good thing.  The activities I do and the people I hang out with are what shape what I perceive my self as.  Family, running, school, and church are a big part of this area of my self.  The final area of my self is what others perceive me to be.  I am not really sure what most people think of me because I have never really asked anyone.  This part of my self is the hardest to personally figure out, because everyone except me holds the answer.  I would like to think that others respect me and think of me as a caring and intelligent person.  When I put all three of these specific areas of self together, I find my overall self.  According to Whitman this self is the self of my friends, my family, people in my state, and everyone across the world.