These words have echoed in my mind now for weeks since I’ve attended a woman’s conference. I took a look back on my childhood, I grew up with a supportive, loving home and would say I had a good childhood. I remember being friendly, going up to people (with my parents supervision) saying hi, complimenting them and sometimes even asking them if they need prayer for anything! I felt innocent and so full of life. I went to a private school up until grade 7. I had truly awesome teachers up until then and great friends. I thought I had some best friends and didn’t realize that they weren’t really treating me that great. Changes were happening. It was grade 6/7 when girls were starting to experiment with make-up and wearing big girl bras. I didn’t feel like I was ready for that stage and because of that, because I was different, they started to distance themselves from me and make fun of me. In that moment I had forgotten who I was and ever since then it has taken me years to discover who I am. When I heard this quote it really got me thinking. As a young girl I felt fearless, friendly, loving, caring, and full of joy! I believe that is who I still am today, it has been hidden for all these years.

Who were you before the world told you who you should be?