I Yam What I Yam!

To most folks this simple statement evokes memories of a favorite childhood cartoon and nothing more. Popeye the Sailor was a beloved character from many years past and almost seems forgotten as we entered into the new millennium.
However, for this gal, Popeye stands for something so much more….

“I Yam what I Yam.” A simple statement, perhaps a bit corny to some, trite to others. To me, this simple statement helped mold me into the person I am today. You see, the movie “Popeye” starring the beloved late Robin Williams was released in 1980. This was the year I was entering 8th grade, and like most of us, had no idea who I was or what I wanted to be. Add to the fact that I was painfully shy and terribly insecure, and you have the perfect storm for low self esteem.

When this particular movie was released I was overwhelming compelled to go see it alone, which I did. Multiple times. I fell in love with it so much that I insisted my Mom & brother load up into our compact car and see it together when it was featured at our local drive in.

Popeye was a character I could totally relate to and identify with. He was an outsider, shunned because of his “squinky” eye, bulbous forearms and odd dialect (hence the origin of “squinky”, “apologiky”, and my all time favorite, “disgustipated”) Popeye was different from all the others, and in my eyes, stood out like a shining beacon.

Popeye stood for what was true and just, and he never comprised when it came to ethical matters. Nope, he was proud to declare “I yam what I yam” to the world and never gave a minutes consideration to what the crowd thought of him. It didn’t matter, because he was himself always and that is what gave him bliss in life.

Here’s a quick snippet of some of my favorite lines and the video from I Yam what I Yam:

http://youtu.be/F8TRoMSG-5I

What am I? Some kind of barnacles on the dinghy of life?
I ain't no doctors but I knows when I'm losin' me patiensk
What am I? Some kind of judge, or a lawyers?
Aw, maybe not; but I knows what laws suits me
So what am I? I ain't no physciscisk, but I knows what matters
What am I? I'm Popeye, the sailor

And I yam what I yam what I yam and I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam 

And I gots a lot of muskle and I only gots one eye
And I never hurts nobodys and I'll never tell a lie
Tops to me bottoms and me bottoms to me top
And that's the way it is 'till the day that I drop
What am I?
I yam what I yam!
I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam, I’m Popeye the sailor man!

Forgive the repitition, but you get the point…..

As I have grown into adulthood I have carried the lessons with me that the simple character of Popeye taught me so many years ago. No matter what challenges we may face, or obstacles may appear before us, NEVER forget who you ARE. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, for the diversity in all of us is what makes this world a wonderful place to be.

And never, ever be afraid to declare to the world, “I yam what I yam!” 

Note: I will be forever grateful to Robin Williams for bringing a wonderful character to life on the big screen many years ago. His is a talent that will truly be missed. Rest in peace, Robin.