You think my feelings make me weak
That they leave me vulnerable to defeat
But the strength inside me
Comes from getting back up
From taking the hurt, the loss
And recharging myself enough to face it again
You think that because I care, I’m not strong
That it makes me blind to want to belong
Caring has made life worth living all along
Didn’t realize it until now
Until I learned that emotions have to be allowed
If I want to be loved, I have to find a way to give it somehow
I’ve spent most of my life being numb and safe
Now, I am free from those restraints
Free to feel every mortifying pain:
Rejection, jealousy, betrayal, and inadequacy
I can accept those when I know
They are necessary
For joy, love, laughter and faith
I have to put myself out there, if I want to be happy
I’m stronger than the old me
I put my emotions into life, knowingly
Not out of ignorance or naivety
But out of courage
And for the chance to be happily free