Bravery

I am so afraid. I am so afraid to be  myself, that I have to put on masks to cover the pain, the sadness, the  loneliness, the joy. I have to run away to be safe. I have to run away to be happy.

...but that's not true....

What?

Who is that?

You don't have to do all that to be  happy.  I know it's hard. Everyday you have to get up  and pretend  everything is fine, even when it isn't. Everyday you have to pretend to  be someone else to make others happy, but...if you keep doing that you  will forget yourself...

You will forget me...

A bright light shines in the darkness, and there, you can see a  reflection of...well...you! In the light you are smiling, and you  seem...happy. Your heart lurches for the you that you see, but then  Depression and Anxiety are there, screaming that you will never be good  enough.

Listen...you know those books you always read? The ones with brave  princes and princesses,  and the ones with heroes who began with  nothing? You always say how courageous and amazing they were. To obtain  courage like that, isn't easy. Courage is being able to face the fears  that bind you in one place, that prevent you from moving forward.  Courage is standing up to the voices in your head, and telling them that  you are good enough. It's being able to be yourself in front of  others, and being able to smile in front of all the people who are  waiting for you to fail. That, is courage.

So be courageous. Be brave. Don't be afraid to live, my love.