This essay brought a lot of understanding nods of my head, tears to my eyes and ultimately comfort to my mind and spirit. Thank you for writing it and thank you for sharing it, I will revisit it often. ♥️

I have felt this way too, and this poem inspires strength! Thank you!

What a fascinating read, what an interesting blending of science and literature. I hope you will write again here, I would love to read more. ❤️

I see you, too, and I loved this poem! Now I'll go out into my day and, remembering your words, give that gift to others. ❤️

Wow, so cool how the writer made a few simple words say so much. What a powerful poem!

I've been helped more than hurt by diagnostic labels. Being told at a period in my life that I had major depression helped me drop the unkind labels I was giving myself: lazy, disorganized, weak, etc. I've never been harmed by a diagnosis, but I know many who have been. But oh those labels we give ourselves every day - The unkind ones I hear from people about themselves outnumber the compassionate ones by a lot. Yesterday, I heard the woman at the grocery checkout say, "When I was younger and prettier..." I only saw how lovely she was, her body was round and curvy and her hair was magenta! 😊 I hope someday she'll learn to see herself as lovelier than ever. Later another woman told me, "My doctor said I'm too old to take care of my son (who has MS) in my home anymore." (She was 86.) And it was true and she knew it and was not ashamed, because right after that she said, "But I'll never be too old to love him." The label of "old" wasn't holding her back. Words are so powerful. I want to keep claiming my own words for positivity, compassion, empowerment. I want to help others do the same by showing them the beauty I see in them, whenever I get a chance.

Defining my Okay starts with my being present. (Not always easy - takes practice!) Being present leads me to be aware and compassionate with myself as I am. Not dwelling on my past or "waiting for my real life to begin" when I'm "better" or improved. Even if I have things about myself that I want to work on or change, when I accept that I'm Okay here and now, I can love myself through my journeys onward to something new, embracing who I am and what I'm doing every step of the way.