A huge part of maturing is finding out who you are... but what happens when you realize that you don’t really like the person you are? This is something I’ve been struggling with the past few years. As I step outside of myself and reflect on my thoughts, experiences, and interactions, I’m plagued with discomfort. “Why did I react that way?” “Why do I feel this?” “I was kind of a bitch back there” “I wish I had said this instead of that” “Wow, what an idiot I was in that moment” All these negative thoughts about myself flood my mind. I feel embarrassed, ashamed, upset. How easy it is for me to forget about all the good I think, feel, and do... What about all those times I go out of my way to help other people? How about those interactions I walk away from beaming? It’s too easy to forget the good parts of me as I dwell on the bad. But I had a realization the other day and it made me think back on one of my favorite quotes by Gordon Gekko in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. He says, “You know, human beings... you gotta give ‘em a break. We’re all mixed bags.” • Yeah, there are pieces of me that I don’t adore but all I can really do is accept them or try to improve them. There’s a scared vulnerable woman inside me, but I can also bring confidence and good nature to the table.. I’m a mixed bag. There’s give and take, highs and lows, good and bad, and every damn thing in between. So here’s “Duality”, Oil on Canvas Panel, 18”x24”. My first attempt at conveying the duality of my existence, this is a tribute to the good and bad in me. Here’s to hoping I can fully accept both sides some day. It’s slow-moving, but I think I’m making some progress. 🖤🤍