If you are going through hell, you will always be told to keep going. But if you keep going just to find Hell on the horizon again, continue to keep going. Talk to the devil you know and tell him hello, take a selfie with him, and let him know this is who you are and this is where you’ll stay. You’ll make Hell your home because Hell is anxiety and Hell can be home if you tell anxiety the truth. And that truth is that anxiety is your bitch. That you are the boss and that you are in charge.

There are people in this world you will feed you an occasional I love you, so they can sleep at night, feeling alright. They will tell you to love and live on the down low. That your feelings even the positive ones are something to be ashamed of. There are friends who will tell you their mean words are acceptable because you need to be put in your place. That your name is synonymous with shame and that happiness is overrated. They will pass the torch and flame of their discontent onto you. But it’s up to you to say you will not live on the down low. You will not hide anymore and that you will say how you feel and tell someone they are wrong. Because if you do not tell them they are wrong the things they say become the truth.

We must do this and lead this fight because no army of one has ever won. Change does not come solely from you, but it starts with you. Setting off a chain reaction of love instead of hate. Tough love never love to anyone but the giver themselves. Because this is day one and this is where we begin, at the end of Hell and the beginning of home.