I was once afraid of fear
Until I learned to feel it
And not let it suffocate me
But rather to allow it to gently flow through me
So that I may transform it into passion, purpose and meaning
I was once afraid of grief
Until I realized
It was a treasured visitor
For it revealed the vast ocean of love
That lay within me
And my capacity to feel
And care for others deeply
I was once afraid of rejection
Until I realized
That it need not cause me any hurt or harm
When I was able to fully embrace and accept myself
And honour my strengths and greatness
Celebrating the beauty and brilliance that lay within me
I was once afraid of heartbreak
Until I realized
That my heart was my own
And the only person who could truly break it
Was me
Through me disowning myself
And valuing how another person saw me
Above how I chose to see myself
And giving them the power to shape
How I felt about myself and my reality
I was once afraid of failure
Until I realized
That it was my greatest teacher
And that pain need not stem from it
When it empowered me to choose and act better in the future
And live more compassionately
I was once afraid of shame
Until I learned to befriend it
Then gently farewell it
Through granting myself permission to be imperfect
And make mistakes
While not letting them define or limit me
I was once afraid of guilt
Until I gave it purpose
And redirected it toward meaningful action
Allowing it to propel me along a path of love and healing
I was once afraid of my negative thoughts
Until I realized that their origin was my emotions
And by calming and uplifting myself
They would transform accordingly
I was once afraid of anger
Until I realized that it was not meant to be suppressed or ignored
But felt fully
Fuelling me to take passionate action toward what was most meaningful and important to me
I was once afraid of discomfort
Until I realized
It was one of my greatest guides
Revealing all that was in need of changing and healing within me
And I was once afraid of my shadow
Until I realized
That I was the alchemist of my life
And the power to transmute the darkness into light
Lay within me.
Words by Tahlia Hunter
