sleeping at night

I used to look for approval. I used to believe I needed some validation. I used to hope for acceptance. I used to beg for forgiveness. It took time to learn that I didn't need approval, from anyone but my own heart. It took so many endless nights of fighting to realize validation didn't change the end result. It took losing people I loved to understand that being accepted would happen naturally from the ones who are good people. It took bloody knees and a destroyed self-worth to stop begging for forgiveness, and to accept my demons. I have laid it to rest, I have found my own and am finally able to let it go. For better or worse, I am in deep and passionate love with the person I have grown into being. So I don't sleep restlessly anymore, because hate and spite and resentment can't hold me any longer. I know my worth, and I won't ever forget what it took to find it. "Love; it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free"