For years I could never truly face my own self.  I either had to cover myself up with hats or ragged clothes, or face myself high or stoned.  Both of these ways to face myself were only more self-damaging.  It was like looking at a Halloween costume – an ugly one at that.  But it appealed to me in a sad, depressing and overall sick way.  I was sick, and still have the illness of addiction.  Every day I go to bed an addict in recovery, and every day I wake up an addict all over again.  A lot of times it seems that the cycle will never end, and in reality it will always be part of me.

Now I am able to face myself in the mirror without any masks or images to cover up who I really am.  But it was not easy to get to where I am today.  It took  a lot of courage and effort and still does sometimes.  When I look at myself, I see who I am and not anything else.

The biggest realization that I get when I see myself is that I am human.  I still make mistakes, but what separates me from my past is how I handle my mistakes now.  When I look in the mirror I see persistence, courage, determination, and power.  I am a caring, confident, and powerful young man; the only person I need to prove it to is myself.

Every now and again, I find that I need to face myself in the mirror, so that I can check myself and always remind myself who I am – inside.