I AM
Simmonds & Jones Lyrics

Being young and feeling all alone gets so hard (So hard)
When you're young and feel like you're the only one going through something, it can be really difficult.

I would find myself tearing my mind apart (Apart)
When I was feeling alone and like I didn't fit in, I would start to doubt myself and question everything.

Trying to be
I was always trying to fit in and be like everyone else.

Accepted but I see
I wanted to be accepted, but I realized that wasn't always possible or healthy for me.

Reality is
The truth of the matter is...

I have no identity
I felt like I didn't have a sense of who I was or what I wanted.

That's when I chose
So I made a decision to...

A different approach
Take a different path and try something new.

I told myself it's time to step out on your own
I encouraged myself to be independent and take control of my own life.

Life comes at all us in all types of different ways
We all experience different things in life.

Hold on to something that gets you throughout the day
Find something that helps you get through each day and hold onto it.

I know now that I need to be true to myself
I now realize that I need to be authentic and true to who I am.

So when I say these words it ain't just for my health
When I say these things, it's not just for show, it's because it's true.

All my life I thought I needed to be someone else
I spent my whole life thinking I needed to be like someone else.

Now I look back on those memories knowing I should of been just who I am
Looking back, I realize now that I should have just been myself all along.

I never knew to lead, I always followed
I didn't realize I could be a leader, so I always just followed others.

Figured that was best for me but it led to sorrow
I thought following others was the best choice, but it actually made me sad.

'Cause honestly
To be honest...

I know I'm not happy
I'm not happy with where I am in life.

I got to look within to find what's right for me
I need to search within myself to figure out what I really want.

My family was blind to what I really needed to grow
My family didn't understand what I needed to do in order to grow and be happy.

I finally broke free and only listened to what's in my soul
I finally became independent and started listening to my own desires and needs.

You look at me and what do you really see
When you look at me, what do you truly perceive about who I am?

You stand next to me and what do you really feel
When you're standing next to me, what emotions do you experience?

When you've come so far
When you've made a lot of progress in life...

You start to wonder where else you can possibly go
You start to ponder what other possibilities there are for your life.

They say the limit is sky and star
People often say that the sky is the limit.

But I wanna touch what's beyond that as I continue to grow
But I want to go beyond that and continue to grow as a person.

Statistics placed on the young and Black
There are often negative stereotypes and statistics associated with being young and black.

I, too, was just another but I slipped through the crack
I was almost just another statistic but I managed to avoid falling into that trap.

Made it out with some scratches
I came out of that situation with a few minor scars.

Found some commitment
I found something worth pursuing and committing to.

Got out with a few bruises
I also experienced some minor trauma along the way.

Ended up with enrichment
But at the end of the day, I came out richer and more fulfilled because of my experiences.

Just a few tools to chase the dream
All I needed was a few specific things to pursue my dreams.

Exactly what I needed to help my light beam
These tools helped me shine and achieve my goals.

Failure don't scare me
I'm not afraid of failure.

The flavor of forever is Jonesey
I embody timeless qualities.

This year you can be a bystander
This year, you can just sit back and watch what happens.

'Cause what's good for the goose ain't always good for the gander
Just because something works for one person doesn't mean it will work for someone else.

I feel like I turned Samson from a shrew
I feel like I transformed from something weak and insignificant to something strong and powerful.

God, Himself, told me that's what this healthy beard'll get you
God revealed to me that having a healthy beard is symbolic of being strong and wise.

This is what I've developed into
This is who I have grown and evolved into over time.

A beacon of self-worth and staying true
I am now a symbol of self-value and authenticity.

The only way to be that I never knew
I didn't realize that being true to yourself was the only way to be happy and fulfilled.

Take a peak at the new and improved
Take a look at the new and improved version of myself!

Jones...
This is who I am.