Labels.

Funny. Straight. Athletic. Labels.

Crushing every bone in your body like a chain around your neck declaring who you are like everyone gets a say. And, they do… because you don’t know how to make it stop.

So, someone adds another one.

Privileged. Stupid. Ugly. Labels.

Whether true or not, sucking the air out of your lungs. Life, so full like the drops in the ocean, yet someone has turned on a vacuum to steal it.

So someone adds another.

Crazy. Needy. Too much. Labels.

Until you can stand up and fight for the person you believe you are, some voice that means nothing compared to the heart beating in your own chest will say something that they don’t have to feel.

When you’re finally too tired to keep fighting, you’ll stand up and speak your own truth to start your own list.

Victorious. Strong. Real. Labels.

When you’re finally fed up with the lack of truth surrounding your mind, you’ll be set free. Free to the truth of the Creation you are and the love of your Creator.

So, you add another.

Vulnerable. Generous. Life-bringing. Labels.

Ones given at the Cross where your soul was set free. Down in the valleys when there was no way up, lifted into your own truth that you deserve to carry.

So, you add another.

Free. Forgiven. Courageous. Labels.

Stand up.

Take back the voice, that matches your heartbeat, and define exactly who you are. Align yourself, your body and mind, shut down the vacuum that is stealing your life.

No longer allow for your bones to crush under the weight of someone else and their lack of grace. Because you’re trying your best to make it from day to day, and learning yourself in new intimate ways.

The only person who gets to write sticky notes of who I am is me, and when I get tired of what they say or want to rearrange who I am, I’ll take them down.

So give me your damn pen trying to define who I am like I’m some lost puppy without a tag.

With new found strength, I will write my first label.

Unapologetically me.