I have my ups and downs. I am on my own, living on my own terms, and finding the peace and joy (and terror) of living my life.

I have spent so much of my life either pleasing (or my often, deliberately displeasing) someone else, that I could not please myself. I have lived a life of fear and shame.

No more. I am my own man, whatever that means. I want to be healthy and happy. I want to speak my truth, without fear or shame. I will focus on myself for a while, because focusing on the needs of others has gotten me nowhere thus far.

And I will emerge anew.