Happy 1 week to my 21st Birthday.

“After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul 

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning 

And company doesn’t always mean security. 

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts 

And presents aren’t promises, 

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead, 

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child. 

And you learn to build all your roads on today 

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans 

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. 

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much, 

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. 

And you learn that you really can endure, 

You really are strong, 

You really do have worth, 

And you learn and you learn. 

With every goodbye, you learn.”

-Veronica Shoffstal

AND despite all that the world says, 

You never learn from what's been said and done.

That all that's been given to you, empowered to you, 

You embrace with open palms and welcoming spirits because you're afraid you'll never receive the rewards ever again. But the consequences may be too high a toll to pay on your soul and everything within your very being. 

If only fools are satisfied,

Take my sanity away.

I'd be more than grateful, all honesty obliged.