When I was younger I would always look to others for approval on things. Whether it was a new hair style or a million other things. I constantly sought out what others thought.

The fact of the matter is, my distinctive scars stood out like a sore thumb. We all know how cruel kids & some adults can be. In my mind, fitting in was best to avoid being bullied.

If I wrote a story and no one liked it, this woman rewrote it. My choice of bright colored earrings didn’t sit well with others, were replaced. With so many naysayers I almost felt like a complete failure.

This was the reason my pad and pen sat untouched for years. The voices of others convinced me it was a waste of time to write. No one would ever read anything with my name on it.

Realization hit when my longing to write truly hurt my heart. Yet this lady kept putting it off. Venturing into other things to occupy my time did little to quell my thirst.

Grabbing my pen one day, I let my heart bleed onto the paper. Returning to it made me feel whole again. As if my best friend had returned.

The amazing feeling of renewal wrapped me in warm blanket. The negative Nellies no longer had a hold on me. Believing in myself did.

Looking in the mirror gives me great joy now. I’m a beautiful smart woman who believes in herself.