I rolled over the thorns for a long time, I was torn apart by words of blame.

The path of thorns pierced me...

Tore me apart, made me wither away,

…made me disappear among the brambles

Out of habit, I rolled on. and at the end of it I turned around

It was no longer the path I’d perceived… It was entirely new

It was the path of love. All of the strength I’d gathered from withstanding many wounds I chose this path.

I decided to use it to love myself.

Where once the journey had pierced me with pain, this love now coats my soul. It safeguards me against the thorns.

But it does not come without work. Every day, I make the choice to speak warmly to myself, to hold myself tightly.

This is my armor. The wounds can no longer weaken me. I cannot be defeated.