A Prayer to Great Spirit
I have been confused
I have suffered shame because I forgot who I was
I thought I was a separate self
Alone against the world
I thought I had to survive by performing well
For others to approve
I thought I had to survive by protecting myself
Against others' painful jabs
I criticized others because I was once criticized
I judged because I was once judged
I disparaged because others once disparaged me
I acted self-righteous because I have been confused
I worried about how I looked because I might not be up to par
I worried about how people thought of me
I thought they would be harsh
Because I have been confused about who I am
I was afraid to look at myself because I would attack myself
I was afraid to show my deeper self
Because I thought I would be taken advantage of
I was afraid of intimacy
Because I was afraid I would look foolish
I was afraid to be vulnerable
Because I thought I would be hurt
I was afraid of trying because I thought I would be judged
I wanted everyone to admire me because I didn't admire myself
I wanted everyone to notice me because I was afraid I would be ignored
I wanted to be special and important because I thought I would be overlooked
Now I know that these worries were just dreams
Illusions of my mind
There is no me that has to be propped up
Only a spiritual being on life's journey attempting to wake me up
Now that I know this false self can never find the truth
I am realizing that only essence holds my truth
I am a divine being playing a human game
I am God's child, always loved, ever valued
I am a being with a contribution to make
I look to see how I can serve
Never again to lose my nerve
I am confident
I am powerful
I am safe revealing who I am
I am God's child, always loved, ever valued
I am perfect just the way I am
Bumbling and all
No need for being special when I have a job to do
No need for shame, no need for protection
I am God's creation, always loved, always valued
- Jose Stevens, Praying With Power- 2005