Advocacy

[Miss Lhea J. Love]

from

I've been breathing
all this time. And, I've been wanting Life to find me
in my room, preparing for our meeting.
Instead, I must leave my comfort aside,
Vulnerably take my naked hide
To meet with Life
Prove to myself
I am worthy.

*******

Some people hide behind the comfort of friends, kind words and public
recognition. Some people slip between the love of family members, the
bonds of fraternity and the prestige of organizations.

Eventually, some strong relations will be withered away by disease,
death or simply time. And if these relations are your crutch, you will
stumble and fall.

You must be your own best advocate.

Momma's love may comfort -- but can only travel so far without self-
love. Poppa's advice may help -- but can only transcend so much
without self-guidance. Friends may uplift -- but can only traverse so
much without self-esteem.

Eventually you must love, guide and support yourself. For if you
don't, the world will use you and claim you asked for it; it will
crush you and claim you enjoyed it.

"If you lie to yourself about your own pain, you will be killed by
others who will claim you enjoyed it."