My freedom...

People are merely confined by the limits they put on themselves. They decide the things they can do and even allow themselves to try. For good or for bad, these walls exist. Depending on the individual, these walls maybe be further for some and higher for others, but we all have them.

I've always heard that the worse invention man made was the pedestal they put women on. I grew up extremely shy, unable to speak up for myself, and deathly afraid of women. That sentence about the pedestal had little meaning until I began to give myself value.

When I began to understand that people are merely people, doors opened for me I never knew existed let alone could open. Celebrities, women, bullies, or whomever I felt had power... were not better than I was. Conversely, the poor, underprivileged, or people I thought I was better than... I really wasn't better than at all. We were all just people trying to make it through the day.

When I began to be grateful for the things I had instead of thinking they weren't good or exciting enough I felt empowered... over myself. It's not the possessions you have that define who you are, it's your character. Your actions and decisions make up the person you are, not the clothes on your back rather the smile on your face.

When I began to speak up for myself I realized that people weren't trying to silence me, I was silencing myself. People are willing to listen if you are willing to talk. Everyone has problems and opinions, and we all need ears. I kept myself a "secret". To not ask, you make the decision for the other person with the answer always a no.

You don't need to ask permission to be yourself. You're not required to put up with other people mistreating you. It's your right to want the most for yourself. It's the right thing to stand up for the things you believe in. You don't have to feel bad to tell people when things bother you. It's not a flaw to express joy and show affection. It's a beautiful thing to be you. Be you.

The day I granted my own pardon from my self-imposed prison was the first day I actually felt free. I hope everyone one day sheds their shackles and find their own voice. Keep smiling everyone...