I was once weak,
But now I’m strong.

I was once insecure,
But now I’m confident.

I was once young and stubborn,
But now I’m older and open-minded.

I was once poor,
But now I’m wealthy.

I was once sad,
But now I’m happy.

I was once immature,
But now I’m grown-up.

I was once selfish,
But now I’m selfless.

I was once traumatized by my past,
But now I use it to better myself.

I was once scared,
But now I’m safe.

I was once isolated and anchored,
But now I’m free.

Inspired by the character Esperanza in the novel “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros.