Growing up I always had more male friends than female friends. I was hated because I was light skinned or had good hair. Some thought I was stuck up, conceited, had some idea that I thought I was better than everyone else when that was never my thoughts at all. Most of the times I was struggling with who I was and fighting to somehow stay alive. Some judged my outer smile thinking that my life was perfect, but little did they know I was really broken on inside. Because of that I always felt that I had to protect myself. I had to carry this tough image that I was ok, when really I was crying out for someone to help take this pain away. So I was always up for the challenge and by all means don’t dare me to do something, because you might have gotten something you didn’t want. THANK GOD for Jesus that I have learned how to not only pick my battles, but my approach to fighting is a little different now. There was this one girl I remember in our neighbor hood that had some beef with me.  I’m not sure why we even got into an altercation because we were always around each other.  I would say we considered each other friends. I guess we had that love hate relationship. All I remember was everyone in the neighborhood was around that day adding fuel to the fire of course, which only got me pumped while stroking my ego. The girl drew this imaginery line daring me to cross it or she would beat me up. What did you do that for? Of course I’m going to cross it. I wasn’t scared of anyone and if I was you would never know it. I remember going back and forth with the imaginery line, but nothing ever happened.  At least I don’t remember, other than us remaining friends. I didn’t realize how important those imaginery lines were until a couple of years ago. The imaginery lines I am referring to are boundaries. You can’t see them, but you know they are there. It is very important that we set healthy boundaries in our lives.  We can’t be afraid to let others know or feel guilty for having them. We can’t allow others to cross them, not even ourselves.  Your feelings are real and should be respected. But if you don’t respect them how do expect someone else to. By not setting boundaries it leaves you wide open and vulnerable to become hurt, misused and abused. That all stems from not knowing who you are. When I found me and loved me through God’s word there are boundaries I want let others cross including myself. I spent years of settling for less until I found out I was worth so much more. Although I am still learning, I am no longer afraid because I found my voice. #YOUAREWORTHIT