As I began bringing my expressions of myself together through my writing to create this space, I knew my intention was to share it with others simply as a gift—to offer anyone who reads it a piece of inspiration from the lessons I have learned throughout my journey, and continue to learn.
I believe that is part of the blessing and reason behind why I have lived through so many experiences: to take what I have learned and become a light for others, offering compassion, love, and understanding along the way.
But as I began putting these pieces of myself together to share, I had a moment when I realized something about myself that I hadn't fully seen before.
Sometimes my fear isn't only about what might happen. It's about how quickly I can abandon myself in an effort to protect someone else from what I feel, what I choose, or what I need.
My first instinct can be to remove, edit, explain, or ask permission—not necessarily because I believe my words are wrong, but because I'm afraid of what someone else might think, feel, or do.
I'm learning that I can care about how my choices affect other people without making their feelings more important than my own truth. I can be thoughtful without disappearing. I can protect someone else's privacy without sacrificing my voice.
Maybe coming home to myself means learning that I don't have to leave myself behind or dim my light in order to honor someone else and still share my heart.
