Very young, I looked out at the scary world and decided I was too broken, too different, to risk revealing my true self to it. I felt too weak to survive the pain I knew was the price of love. So I hid.

The cage I built to protect myself from the world’s toxins also stole my oxygen. I didn’t know I needed to be seen and known like I needed air.

I’m finally proud of who I am. I understand now that I’m not a mess but a deeply feeling person in a messy world.
 My healing has been a peeling away of costume after costume until here I am, still and naked and unashamed before God, stripped down to my real identity. I have unbecome. 

Growing up is unbecoming.

And now I stand: Warrior. Undressed for battle. Strong and benevolent. Both yin and yang. Complete, not in need of completing. Sent to fight for everything worth having: truth, beauty, kindness, shamelessness, love. To march into pain and love with eyes and heart wide open, to stand in the wreckage and believe that my power, my love, my light, are stronger than the darkness.

 I know my name now. Love Warrior.

 I came from Love and I am Love and I will return to Love. Love casts out fear. 

A woman who has recovered her true identity as a Love Warrior is the most powerful force on earth.