Get Out of Your Own Way

Choose to challenge yourself

to break your own barrier.

The one you have cast in your mind

About how you need to be empowered

And how you need to be told

How you need to be acknowledged

And how you need to be celebrated.

Choose to challenge yourself

to use the hidden strength every moment.

The strength you have cast away deep inside

And save it to use only when you are hurt;

When someone has disrespected you;

After that person ignored your talent

Or called you something that isn’t you.

Choose to challenge yourself

to define who you are

and who you want to be.

Not by who people see you as

Or by how you want to be seen.

Choose to challenge

the stereotype you have made yourself into;

Who wants to fit in

Don’t.

Don’t fit in.

You don’t have to.

You don’t need to.

Stand out. You don’t need to be them.

You are not them.