It's your life... why not fill it with as much joy as possible?

You have the strength to push back against what others are making you think or do. You use that muscle of confidence. In the same way, joy is from the inside out, and not letting the things on the outside define you.

My definition of confidence is how you feel about yourself, and not letting the external world define you.

I spent so much of my life shut down from the abuse of my childhood. I didn't have friends and I didn't have connections with people.

God has joy for you right now.

Because I am a one-legged, black, short, woman I had to spend every day of my life pushing against what society told me I should be. I had to sell my value every day of my life. Confidence is what enables us to push back on reality. Once you get good at that, you can use it to live your joy.

I spent a good portion of my life being unable to honor my feelings. When I started the process of having real friendships it was a huge change. I still struggle with it because it is not familiar ground.