I've stopped writing for now. A hiatus if you will, because I have started to question the words forming in my head. I don't always believe they're genuine, of my own fruition, and will therefore refuse to claim them as my own. That's what writing is, really...affirming your faith in your thoughts, words, and actions. I can't give myself that right now. I can't claim something I doubt my trust in, the same as I can't caress a face that isn't real...and I'm not about to hurt - or overexert - myself trying to do so.

I do, however, still have hope for the future. I can admit that much. I have dreams and goals for my life that I believe are highly attainable and I will reach them. I will continue climbing that tree, always looking up and staying humble by occasionally looking down. I know the higher I go, the more risk is involved by ever falling. I may perch on a branch, catching my breath, but I will never give up. Not even the gustiest of gales will shake me from this tree, not even the hottest of flames will persuade me to give in and come down.

I may not ever reach the top of this tree, but that's only because it will continue to grow as I continue to climb. Its arms will stretch higher and will strengthen to carry my weight as I become stronger, as I get closer to my dreams. Maybe eventually I will stop at a high enough branch. I may even stay for a very long time, but I vow to die as high up as possible, in the arms of my aspirations, instead of on the ground, wishing I had started already.

I only hope you will be able to say the same.