What does taking care of myself really mean? It means laughing my big, giant laugh that makes me shake like a bowl of jelly and be heard from one end of the room to the other. It means being ridiculous. Who’s embarrassed? Not me. I’m going to be silly. Food is luxurious. Savor the smells, sights and tastes. Share that enthusiasm with others. Sharing, there is plenty when we are not greedy. Dance, dance, dance!!! Be happy for the utterly ridiculous things. It is so empowering. So satisfying. You not going to steal my joy ever again. Believe. The most important thing I can do is believe myself. Something feels weird? It is. Something sounds odd? It is. Got that funny feeling? Run, don’t walk. I looked to other people to be the expert in me. I’m the expert of me. I matter. I have a voice. I have feelings. I believe in me. I can’t say I always did, but it is the thing that has helped my start to conquer the fear that incapacitated me for over a decade. Be a friend, be a friend to yourself. Bring all the mess and heartache and fear and shame to the light. Let it be known. It is so surprising the folks who will rally around you, mouth agape, at how you endured/survived all that you have been through. They will marvel at your strength. Take time to marvel at your strength.