I am not the creator of this. I relate to the image as I once kept myself in a dark cave, safe from unintended shards of pain from the world of people.

I did not belong. I could neither cope with my mind and emotions or ward off incoming perceived blows. For two decades I tested the light outside my cave and recoiled in agony from the insanity of me clashing with a bewildering world. Eventually I managed to endure the light of day, then travel through it leaving my dark abode a hazy memory to be longed for in times of crisis.

I have evolved. I linger at a crossroads with signs like “The Old Familiar” and “Freedom Road” and “Bypass.” The easy ways out of my present turmoil are tempting. Go back to familiar yet uncomfortable anguish, leap out of my comfort zone to bask in the pure light of freedom from the past, or go the circuitous route missing all the little nuances of recovery, all are tempting but I know the effective path. Walk, however trembling, however uncertain straight through the jumble of uncomfortable thought and emotion.

There is no easy work around, no denial or burial that works to our benefit. There is only the often tedious path of opening our eyes and minds to reality. I lived too much of my life out of reality, time to be real, be me, be true and sound and brave.

I will make mistakes, sometimes fall back on old thinking, sometimes feel the sharp sword of perceived failure but my path is clear.

I must walk through my fear.