All my life I've hidden. I've hidden from my family. My friends. Me. I never wanted to be noticed or shine. I wanted to hide. A few years ago when I lost 94 pounds and started getting the attention of guys at work, I panicked. Literally, I could feel the fear rise up in me. I shrunk back into my shell and started building up those walls again. Walls of fat. Walls of fear. Walls of pain. I'm not sure if I'm ready to tear down those walls again, but I think I've got to a pretty good start. I feel better in me. I love myself now where I didn't then. I believe in me. I forgave me. These walls are coming down. What lies behind them can and will be beaten down. I am no longer afraid to live and I'm no longer afraid to shine.

I am powerful.