Stepping into myself

I see myself stepping into 'myself' in a way I never thought was possible before, in a way I never even knew existed in me.

As I reach down lower into areas of myself that lied dormant and were thought of as non-existent, I witness myself plummeting up higher than I ever have before.

I grew up as an I really shy person, never wanting to be heard, and never wanting to be seen either.

I feared that once seen, strangers would gain the ability to tear me apart, or take advantage.

So I never allowed myself to show my face long enough for people to see my vulnerabilities.

I smile as I look at myself now,

I'm not where I can be with vulnerability, but I'm sure not where I used to be.

I can sing and dance without a care in the world.

I can speak about myself, my journey, and my ups and downs without concern for another.

I now no longer ask myself: "What if they don't like it?" "What if they laugh?" "What if they tell another person?"

I move,

I speak,

Without concern.

And, the move that I have seen myself stepping into myself,

The more I have seen myself reaching places in me that make me proud.

I've been able to look at my dark places long enough until they stopped scaring me,

I've been able to see the light up for others to see.

I'm the proudest that I've ever been about myself.

None of it would have ever have been possible without the courage to be vulnerable.