proud of myself because no matter how hard and traumatic my life has been, i've never used it as an excuse to mistreat anyone. i've gone through things that could have easily turned my heart cold, but i didn't let that happen. i still try to be kind. i still choose patience. my past hurt me, but it didn't turn me into a hurtful person. and that's something i remind myself of often. surviving is one thing, but staying gentle is another. and i'm proud that i never allowed my pain to become someone else's burden.