Define myself

I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path

How many disappointments I’ve faced

How long a relationship lasted

How many times I’ve been knocked down

Or how many times I’ve messed up

           I define myself by

The courage I’ve found to forge new roads

The forgiveness and faith I’ve found in myself to begin again

How much I’ve loved and been willing to love again

How many times I’ve struggled to my feet

How many times I’ve tried to fix things

Who I am has not been made

Just by my pain or my past

But also by my hope and my future.