Brave

"You deserve the best, the very best, because you are one of the few people in this lousy world who are honest to themselves and that, is the only thing that really counts." 

                                                                                                                          -Frida Kahlo

I have often wondered what that one inviolate value is, that is indispensable to the people in my life.

I think mine is courage.

I don't need to think too much about why this means everything to me, simply because if I lost my courage, I'd lose the strength it takes for me to stand, unyielding, by my integrity. My pride follows my strength to remain rooted to my self faith, my unflinching belief in what I deserve and choose to endure. I have the courage to ask for my due and bow to nothing less.

They often tell you to lose expectations. My question is, what are your standards if you don't have expectations?

I have the courage to not hold back and live to the fullest. I also, have the courage to be honest to my feelings- a force that has driven me all my life and refuses to be treated as a disadvantage because when did staying true to yourself become a problem? When did your expression of intense emotions become something that needs to be cloaked and buried beneath the obstinate walls of impassivity? When did your ability to voice your heart's deepest, magical desires become a cause of shameful embarrassment?

I also have the courage to open my heart and give, without condition, propelled by nothing but the necessity of love,  by the necessity of generosity. That will never be something that I will feel ashamed of.

It's only this value that has got me this far where I can stand before any mirror, look myself in the eye and feel nothing but unadulterated pride and respect for who I am.