Photo: Michael O'Neill

"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" has always been one of my favorite Bible verses—one I memorized long before I understood what it meant. I've since learned that you can't know the truth until you're willing to know yourself—and vice versa. Knowing yourself is a lifelong process, with your biggest lessons often emerging from your biggest mistakes.

My biggest mistakes in life have all stemmed from giving my power to someone else—believing that the love others had to offer was more important than the love I had to give to myself. I did not think I was special, and that was my problem. My lack of self-respect, my belief that I needed a man to make my life all right...that was also my problem.

Then one day I got it. I recognized the truth that I am all right just as I am. I am enough all by myself.

The truth feels right and good and loving. Love doesn't hurt. Truth allows you to live every day with integrity. Everything you do and say shows the world who you really are—let it be the truth.

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