If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
If you poison us, do we not die?
And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

-Shylock, William Shakespeare.

My father used to read excerpts of the Merchant of Venice to my sister and I when we were younger, right before we went to bed. Not your average bedtime story, but our family is different like that. I remember these four lines stuck to me, and they still do.

Whenever I am in a mood of helplessness, for some reason rereading this play, always helps me find inner strength. I find these words applicable to various aspects of my life, whenever I have moments of weakness, I try to fight against whatever it is that makes me feel this way.

As much as I try not to become what I hate and whomever is causing me so much distress, sometimes a little bit of pushing back- is required, I believe.

If no one can make you feel inferior without your permission, and they feel as though they have it- make it clear to them, they don’t. And if you thought you could trust them well enough to have given it to them before, in hopes that they would never use it- make sure they know you are taking it back.

Strength comes from within, no one else can provide it to you. Believe in yourself, and then you won’t care who else does too.

Tasha