Dare to Be Yourself

However I kept flexing my courage muscle because the more I kept myself hidden the more I suffered.

The pain of hiding who I was, was worse than the fear of what I’d face by coming out.

So slowly I began to unveil myself.

First to those who were close to me and eventually to the world.

Not without literal blood, sweat and tears but regardless I felt I owed it to myself and to others who may be like me.

I stood up, wiped off the dirt, wiped off the blood, wiped my tears and like Socrates when asked to leave Athens or die for speaking his truth…

“You are asking birds not to sing in the morning, trees not to blossom when it’s time to blossom? You are asking me not to speak the truth? And that is my only joy: to share my truth with those who are groping in the dark. I am going to be here and I am going to continue teaching my truth”

and the judges said “Then we are helpless, because the mob , with a majority, wants you poisoned and killed”

and Socrates replied “That’s perfectly okay. You can kill me, but you cannot kill my spirit…”

and by spirit he meant his courage and his truth.

and I have learned to speak that truth even if my voice shakes because living outside that space is like being dead while you’re still alive.

Every act of courage to be yourself is creating a freer world because when you’re brave enough to speak your truth you give others permission to do the same.