Feeling the yellow brick road to freedom

I find that I often tell myself that it is a big responsibility having a human brain. I have experienced traumas and joys, surprises and sorrows just like all of you have. Growing up, I was made to feel like a second-class citizen. It's as if I wasn't worthy of living a fulfilling life. When I left my parents' house at the age of 22, I was one big lump of pain. I was so burned out mentally and emotionally, that if I did not flop myself on my bed and rest, I was going to have a nervous breakdown. During this crisis in my life, I was given the most amazing gift. Do you know what that gift was? It was the most powerful impulse to pick up a pen and begin writing down my feelings. This soon evolved into thinking about my feelings; then, eventually, to speaking about them. Over the next 10 years, I would meet some of the wisest, kindest people in my quest to work through my problems so that I could try to mend my broken heart and my bruised spirit. I am recovered today because I had the courage to stare my problems in the face and, consequently, shape myself into the person I have always wanted to become.