IN YOUR OWN WORDS REMEMBER, SELF BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: CORTNEY TABERNA NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS AROUND YOU, remember, Self, you have the power to control your life. Only you can allow how people treat you. Get the power of your voice, because if you don’t have that, you will become a victim of abuse. Remember, Self, you allow people to hurt you by not speaking up. Remember to say, “You can’t talk to me like that! Don’t tell me I am useless. Don’t tell me, ‘You can’t do it. You are worthless,’ and things like that.” By not speaking up, you give them permission to continue to talk to you that way. The first time you speak up for yourself will be scary, but you must care about Self, so you can find peace in Self. Remember, Self, to truly love Self. No matter the pain you find yourself in, love of Self will get you through it. Love will get your life in better shape than hate will. Hating Self for this or that keeps you angry and more self-destructive towards Self. Remember, Self, people come and people go. Some are good, some, bad. You have to trust Self to know Self and let Self do what is best for Self. And that comes with loving Self and believing in Self. Self, remember, I love you, and you can love yourself, too. ■ ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN 12 DENVER VOICE September 2022
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