The not so pretty truth

You are a bully.

Not only do you hurt me, you hurt my family. You make my mom cry, and my friends scared. You keep me away from work, you encourage me to disengage from my life, and tell me to hide from my loved ones.

But you have also shown me a few things…

You have lied about me, but that has forced me to seek the truth.

You have knocked me down, but that has encouraged me to help others up.

You have shown me how weak I am, but that has shown me how strong I have become.

You have made me feel ashamed, but that has taught me to be more authentic and accept others where they are.

You have made me scare the people I love, but that has shown me how willing they are to fight for me.

You have made me feel defeated, but that has taught me to celebrate the tiny victories.

You have caused me to fail, but that has given me some fantastic stories to share that cause me to laugh.

I can’t control you, but I am constantly learning to manage you.

I can’t prevent you from effecting others, but I can hold their hand and stand with them.

You are a bully… and I know that is all you are.