I strive to be courageous. To feel safe in my skin, to know that I am loved, and to trust that I am enough.
I strive to tell myself, “that’s not my shit,” as many times as it takes and to believe it. To know that not every battle is mine for the taking and that I will know when my time to fight has come.
I strive to tell myself, “Be Nice,” as many times as it takes. To sense when someone just needs a hug and to give as many hugs as I can.
I strive to make a change when I know a change is needed. To decide on a different path, on a different way of thinking, knowing that the cost of change is so much less than the cost of being stagnant.
I strive to spend more time in the fresh air and to do all I can to keep the air fresh. To cherish more time walking in nature with myself and less time having memorized conversations with the characters of Friends.
I strive because I am here, striving for me and striving for those who have come and gone. Knowing along the way that life is precious and not to be doled out in any which way.
I strive to feel free.
How would you respond to the writing prompt, of a photo of the Freedom Sculpture?
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This writing comes directly from one of our participants in our Unspoken Ink Creative Writing Group for young adult cancer survivors. The participants met for 2 hours each week, for 10 weeks during our Fall 2016 session. This writing has not been edited since its original creation, showing the wonderfully raw and powerful prose coming from the courageous writing group participants each week. The Winter/Spring 2017 session is happening now. If you’d like to sign up for future sessions, please email info@lacunaloft.org or sign up on our interest form.
