When I Know Who I Am

contributed by Kay Goodnow

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

every breath of life is sacrament.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

every human being is filled with God.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

only things of beauty exist.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

music speaks with the soft and gentle beauty that is silence.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

words become positive and reinforcing.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

feelings are as strong as God, who created them for me.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

silence becomes the golden strength of hearing.

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

the sacrament of life is hearing the silence, and,

When I know who I am and believe in myself,

every breath of silence is the sacrament of life.

Since contributing this piece, Kay has come out as a survivor of clergy abuse. These affirmations are for all those who have been forced or seduced into doubting their own worth, judgment and experience.