I don’t need people in my life that want me to be quiet.
I don’t need anyone in my life to tell me to tone it down.
No thanks.
I allowed hollow, critical voices to corner me into silence for years,
I listened. I absorbed, I acquiesced.
Worse yet, I apologized..
I didn’t then understand—
Strengthening my voice is integral to my spiritual evolution.
It must be free or there will be trouble.
And to those in my past that attempted to quiet me?
I bless them, silently, on their way.

Tricia Schwaba, September 2021