All my life, I’ve been told what I can and can’t do…

That a woman needs a man to do this or that to be happy, to be successful.

Everyone always said that you can’t make it on your own without help.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

As I stand here in front of the mirror, I see a woman capable of things that no one thought she could accomplish.

A person that found a way to keep going and always rise when things in life got hard.

Yes, I got knocked down and there were times that I wanted to quit…

But I never did.

I didn’t have a helping hand from anyone and there was no one in my corner except me.

I still kept fighting, kept getting better and stronger.

I learned that I can do anything that I want if I truly want it and go after it..

Sure, I still briefly cry in the shower after a hard day, but that’s just to let go of the emotion that I keep bottled up too long.

I’m not weak- I will never be- but I am human…and I know it’s okay to not be okay sometimes.

I always brush myself off, stand back up proudly and charge back into the battles of life.

For myself, for the people I love and for the things I want out of life.

It’s not ever easy and it hurts sometimes, but it’s worth being able to look myself in the mirror knowing that I did it all by myself.

So, if you’re going to try to tell me what I can and can’t do, what I need or who I am, please just save your breath.

I’ve learned who I am and what I’m able to accomplish without a helping hand.

Not only I am the strongest person you’ll ever meet, I’m also the most passionate as well.

I pour myself into everything I do and everyone I love and I’m never changing that about my huge heart.

So, when you look at me, you’re seeing more than just an independent woman…You’re seeing a person who has walked through the fire and emerged wiser, better and stronger on the other side.

No matter how hard life gets or how tired I get…

I’ll always get back up, rekindle my fire..

And rise again.

|ravenwolf