You never think at 40 years old you would still be fighting the same issues you had as an adolescent. However, sometimes those things follow you all through life. There are a few select people who can overcome that. Whether they learn to shrug it off, ignore it or earn an A+ in the big “fuck you” department is beyond me. I just haven’t mastered any of those skills. Not when it comes being okay with others who need to pick at your insecurity’s. My mom used to tell me when I was young “Never offer ANYONE information. They will use it against you.” How very true…and sad. You get to know people enough to where a certain amount of trust is developing, you think it’s okay to share the deepest things on your heart, mind, soul…But it’s not. It’s NEVER okay to offer information. I, myself am an open book. I pride myself on being that way because I think it’s important for others to know where you stand, who you are, what actually makes you REAL. I like that. People SHOULD know those things. the 21st Century is completely filled with those who don’t know who they are yet, never tried knowing who they are, ect…You just need to be careful. In that journey of “looking for yourself” the times have changed. You just can’t be as honest as you could back in the day…Where people truly respected your traveling paths ya know? I know, I know…it’s a hard pill to swallow. But after so many things you have been through no matter how old, young, whatever there are STILL those people who see you “as you were” instead of just loving you right where you are. Don’t get me wrong though, there is never anything wrong with growth. In your life, spirituality, souk searching…never anything wrong with that. BUT, there is something wrong with people trying to tear down your visions, who you now are, where you’ve come…the growth you’ve already encountered. Taking correction in your journey is an amazing, humble, honorable thing…But taking unjustified criticism is bullshit. Don’t let those who can’t come to grips of ever looking to see where they should be, make you feel bad for knowing you are right where you need to be. A lot of problems I’ve had with others, when I change the perspective of the situation, is really THEIR problem, not mine at all. We should constantly be moving forward but never halted in looking, seeking and finding the things that make us who we are. Don’t let anyone do that to you, ever. Keep things on the surface and never “offer information to just anyone. Let the earn your openness. If someone wants to know the real you by having a look into your soul…Let them show you they really want to see what’s there. For their own journey, their own path…Not just to criticize what’s made yours…That’s bitterness, envy, cruel. That’s not friendship. It’s not. You can feel in your heart what comes from love and what comes from a power trip. Go with your guy. Correction comes from love, criticism comes from bullshit. Learn the difference and embrace being you. 

  SELAH~
CHERyL