Just before I...

Before I got strong, I understood what it was like to be weak, how challenging it is to love yourself, and how challenging it is to achieve the wholeness you seek.

Before I came to know the light, I had plenty of darkness where my world descended into hopelessness and I was unsure of how to survive.

Because I am aware of how much strength it takes to get back up after being knocked down and battered when all you can think about is agony.

If you haven't experienced hatred, you lose sight of the value of smiles and laughing until your heart is no longer in motion.

I am aware of the fortitude and strength needed to make the right decisions, to confront the obstacles that prevent you from moving forward, and to keep fighting.

I used to be someone I didn't want to be before becoming who I am now.
Before I knew how to be myself, I was disoriented, bruised, and defeated.