"You have to put up with the risk of being misunderstood if you are going to try to communicate. You have to put up with people projecting their own ideas, attitudes, misunderstanding you. But it's worth being a public fool if that's all you can be in order to communicate yourself."
“We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when”
“Change is a funny thing. We never are quite sure what we are becoming or even why. Then one day we look at ourselves and wonder who we are and how we got that way. Only one thing about change remains constant...it is always painful.”
Because I have to be fought on every decision to justify my actions, I'm misunderstood.
Because you think that you know what I want, when you don't, I'm misunderstood.
Because when I don't do what you want, how you want it done, I'm misunderstood.
Because I had all the opportunities you didn't and you think it just "fell into my lap", I am misunderstood.
Because I only vocalize the thoughts and feelings I want you to know, I am misunderstood.
Because the smile never leaves my face, I'm misunderstood.
Because going about this alone has been the hardest things I've ever done, but I've done it, I'm misunderstood.
Because what you want has always come first, and what I want has always come second, I am misunderstood.
You don't know me, you know the me I want you to know.
Try and understand.
To whom it may concern:
Thank you for making me always realize my potential. For giving me second chances. For believing in the choices I have made. For offering encouragement and enthusiasm. For taking the time and making the lists of reasons why. For helping me to remember that people are inherently good, despite bad choices. For helping me feel like my voice is heard. For reminding me of all the things I love about myself. That's you, whatever I become and wherever I go, know that you played a part in that, and are responsible for part of what got me there.
TO SECOND CHANCES AND NEW BEGINNINGS