Pieces of My Soul: Draining the Poison

Growing up, I didn’t have many positive influences or role models. Most of what I saw were examples of what not to do—pitfalls to avoid rather than lessons to follow. I was fed a lot of morally questionable advice and guidance by family members and others I encountered. Infidelity was normalized, even encouraged. Lying and bending the truth were seen as acceptable. Being sly in dealings was framed as a virtue, as long as you came out on top.

That mindset poisoned my soul. It led me to make mistakes and hurt many people along the way. For a long time, that poison took root in me—until I realized it had to go. My journey of growth has been one of unlearning, of reprogramming myself to be a better person. Someone who genuinely loves and respects others. Someone who leads with kindness and does the right thing, even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching.

I still struggle at times, but I’m steadily draining the poison from my soul, becoming the person I truly want to be. I created this artwork, to represent that journey—the process of unlearning and draining out all those things that were corrupting my inner being while embracing the hope for something better. More than anything, it represents my commitment to raising my children with the values I had to learn the hard way, giving them a foundation of integrity from the very start.