Permission To Be Me

Permission To Be Me

As I stumble through life not really knowing the way,
these questions are emblazoned in my mind:

WHO AM I?
        WHAT DO I STAND FOR?
                AND WHERE DO I FIT INTO THE GREAT PUZZLE OF LIFE?

We live in a society that places great emphasis on success.
But what is success and how do I attain it?

SO MANY CHOICES!
        TOO MANY DECISIONS!
                GONE IS THE SIMPLICITY OF LIFE!

SO MANY EXPECTATIONS!
        COUNTLESS POINTS OF VIEW!
                IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP AND HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO DO!

Society sets down a precedent, while governments lay down the law.

DON'T BREAK THE BOUNDARIES!
        DON'T ROCK THE BOAT!
                BUT HOW THE HELL DO I STAY AFLOAT!

MOLD ME!
      SCOLD ME!
            SHOW ME THE WAY!

I'm bound to get lost the very next day!
I'm stuck at the crossroads!  Caught in the middle!
I'm reading the signs and here's what they say:

EXCEL!
      SUCCEED!
              DO YOUR BEST!
                    CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU!

I think I'll just sit here and ponder awhile.  Try to decide what it all means.

WHAT IF I DON'T SUCCEED?
        WHAT IF I STUMBLE AND FALL?
                WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME?
                        WILL YOU STILL BE MY FRIEND?

It's time to look inward.  To seek out my soul.
Time to decide what's important to me!
To step back from the rat race, the scurrying crowd,

To gather my thoughts and speak them out loud!

There's one more thing that I have to do.
I have to give myself - PERMISSION TO BE ME!

By Catherine Smith