Over the past days, weeks, months, years.... I have realized something.

Yes, someone may hurt me.

They may break me.

They may make me feel worthless.

In fact, at least one person will do that to me. At least once. They already have.

And I, as do we all, have the right to feel that pain; to cry myself to sleep.

But if I dwell in this pain, if linger every night in a state of constant misery...

I am my own worst nightmare.

I am my own worst critic.

I am my own greatest enemy.

The more I revel in the hurt, in the blood poured from a broken body and heart, the more I am winning this losing battle.

I am only hurting myself.

I dug myself so deep into this hole of despair, it's hard to see a way out. So, I guess, my only option is to walk in the dark. Alone. Afraid.

But this is where strength is gained and courage earned.

Because the worst that can be done to me, is the worst that I do to myself.

So I will walk this dark path alone, but I shall not be lonely,

And I will walk this path of shadows with my heart in my throat, but I shall not be afraid.

So it has been written.

So it shall be done.

-J