"A thousand apologies to myself " for staying silent when I should've spoken, for letting people treat me like I didn't matter just because I wanted peace. I kept believing there was good in everyone, even when their actions proved otherwise. I made excuses for their behavior, thinking kindness could change them. But now I see, it was never my job to fix anyone. It was my duty to protect my own heart. I forgive myself for not knowing better then because even through the pain, I still chose compassion over bitterness, and that's something to be proud of.