What if one day
you come to the realization
that you never again have to explain
yourself away to anyone anymore,
or that you no longer must carry
the burden of another’s false perception of you,
or your own perceived inadequacies,
and you could relax, finally, in knowing
you’re incredible in the light you are
standing in at this moment?

What if the weight of every whispered doubt
and every sidelong glance, every frown,
slipped from your shoulders like autumn leaves,
leaving you lighter than air,
an unburdening of heart and soul,
as if the universe itself conspired
to lift you up, to show you the truth
that you are enough, just as you are?

And what if you go on to not care
about the judgments someone else might have—
that your life is not full or amazing enough—
or that you no longer feel the need
to endlessly apologize for being human?
What if you find strength in your scars,
your laughter echoing like music
in the corners of your mind,
each note a reminder of resilience,
each pause a moment to breathe,
to revel in the beauty of simply being?

That day has been graciously
waiting for you,
its arms open wide,
beckoning...