Because I have been afraid and intimidated long enough. This year I will not be afraid to be truthful, to feel what I feel, to say what I mean and to mean what I say, to try new things, and to accept consequences for my actions and choices knowing that God is with me and loves through it all. I will not be afraid that something bad will happen or something will be taken from me if I don’t do/behave/act/speak/give/sacrifice according to standards that I never once thought to ask God if they were His…or mine…or if I had been deceived into thinking they were. If I screw up, so be it. I will apologize and get on with life, but I will not apologize for being the unique person God created. I will not apologize for having a functioning brain, a loving heart, and an opinion. If I say no (or yes) this year (and forward) I want it to be because that is the decision I have made based on my conversations with God, my careful reasoning, and my heart and not because of misplaced guilt or politeness. I will be me. I will be unafraid.