Not Ever Again

I will not be bound.

You can not tie my hands just because you feel secure when your own are securely twisted behind your back.

I will not go backwards in my life. I will not let the insanity that has surrounded me suck me back into its greedy vortex.

I will not accept responsibility for someone else's choice, mistakes, or perversions. I will not be accountable to anyone on this Earth for what others do. And I will not say "I have brought this upon myself" or feel guilt when another being chooses to inflict themselves upon me.

I will not be anyone's whipping boy or stand idly by while a wrong is being committed to another.

I will live a life devout to my morals, to my truths...but I will not brandish them before others as better.

I will let go of you rather than walk a path along with you that I know will damage me. But I will wait for you where we parted and if you need me, I will be there.

There are places in this life only God can walk with you, but you are never alone, nor am I. Not only is He there forever and always, but if we take the time to look outside of ourselves we will see the shadows of so many others who also walk a narrow path of thorns. How powerful would all of those souls be if they looked up and saw one another...if they linked arms, and leaning on one another rose up above their narrow paths into something so much greater.

We are all capable of great good and great evil, but it is our choice which one we work toward. Each action is our own, our responsibility, and if we hurt another with that action then it is to us to try and mend the wound. To turn callously and selfishly aside from someone your deeds or words have harmed is to turn toward a much darker path.

I think, for those who choose selfishness the world must be very small and cramped. I see them walking hunched over through a tunnel of brambles, hugging themselves, with eyes full of hate for all that surrounds them. Though, it isn't the brambles fault that they have thorns and if the hateful soul were only to walk more slowly, and move the branches with more care they would find the sky above them.

I am not suggesting I am always able to see the sky or that I have not walked that narrow lonely path of thorns, but I will not let you take me there. Not ever again.