I came across a quote the other day, and it was so profound to me.  It was a quote by Elenore Roosevelt.  She said:  “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”  That was huge for me.  That has been the story of my life.  I have always allowed others to dictate how I feel about myself.  People would say mean things about me, or put me down in many ways, and I would believe them, and allow them to hurt me deeply.  That has been part of my problem.

Many of the things that people would say about me were totally untrue, or they would say hurtful things for no reason whatsoever.  It was just out of meanness, or just to make them feel good about themselves.  I did not learn this until late in my life, and by that time, a lot of the damage was already done. 

I have decided that I will not be a punching bag for other people any more.  I will listen to what they have to say, and if what they have said is valid in any way, and I can grow from that information, then I will act upon it in a positive way in order to progress.  If what is being said is negative and inappropriate, I will also act upon that.  I will choose to not allow it to affect me emotionally, physically or spiritually.  It is my decision how I handle things that affect me, and I take that power back. 

This journey has helped me to look within and to change my circumstances.  I am gaining insight everyday, and I am so grateful for that.  I will use this knowledge and insight that I have gained to become…..

Kyeni