Acceptance

I have wasted so much time
trying to please the people
in my life,
trying to please myself.

I have forgotten
that I have been given
the privilege of being alive,
and that it is sufficient
to be myself,
regardless of the thoughts
of anyone,
including myself.

The gift of being
is not to be won
through popularity
or appeasement;
it is given unconditionally,
by whatever drives this universe,
and it is only won
through the act of acceptance.