TAKE ME
AS I AM BY LASHANA WILLIAMS
“...Tell me I’m the best, I am. I’ll be feeling like, yes, I am, I am. You know I’m the best… You’d be a fool to not take me for who I am...” — H.E.R.
As I type the lyrics from H.E.R.’s song “As I Am,” I’m reminded of a small-framed little girl who thought she could do and be anything, but was stripped of her selfesteem by the words and actions of others. These events defined her; replaced her God-given truths with misguided beliefs. Her dreams and happiness shattered, leaving nothing but an empty shell of a girl devoid of self-love. And, as this little girl matured into a woman, those same events resulted in her devalued self-worth, diminished self-image, and depleted self-confidence. The image of this broken little girl breaks my heart, for that little girl was me. After 38 long years of depression, a sea of tears and three years in therapy, the lyrics to the song have now become my mantra. And today I can honestly say that I love myself unapologetically; boldly and confidently telling anyone
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