Woke up early and was thinking about a few posts that I've seen where folks question if they're a good person or whether they're really the monster that comes out to try and protect them just wearing nice mask. I wonder too sometimes, but when it comes down to it, I go out into the world trying to be a kind, caring, and compassionate human being. It's what the world is lacking and what I wish to project onto the world even if it doesn't always work out or if it's exhausting to do. I personally think that I lash out with a raised voice or get exhausted interacting with the world not because I'm a bad person or that protective side is the real me, but because I'm trying to share from a depleted well that needs to be filled with self love that starts with knowing that the path to self knowledge and what guides us there are our intentions. I guess all this is to say that hurting someone or being hurt by someone doesn't necessarily make us or them a bad person, but not taking accountability and continuing to repeat the same actions does. If you're searching yourself and feel guilty or empty, then remember that you aren't the masks that you think you wear and your value doesn't lie in the hands of any one special individual. You have the power to set your intentions and to slowly take the steps to feel better about and to love yourself. Sharing in hopes that someone needed to hear this.