People in my life (3)

What I have to say is valuable
to others.

What I have to say is most valuable
to myself.

A complete stranger once
threatened to kill me. I looked
out upon the void, and I said:
"Go ahead."

A former friend, going down, once
threatened to kill those people
I cared for most. I shook silently,
for weeks, fearing the sound of alarm.

It's when you love,
and what you love most,
that makes you vulnerable.

Hurt and pain come as part of life.
No one is exempt from it.
But that is no reason not to love.
Suffering accompanies life -
but love is affirmation.
-Deng Ming-Dao

I learn from the past, and then let go of it.

I learn from the present, and embrace it.

I learn from the future, and find myself in it.

I accept that I cannot be all things to all people.

I am someone who can try new things, take risks, and
make mistakes. I believe others will accept that in me.
I accept that in myself, and I learn from each attempt.

I am finding my own voice.