As a teenager
in the midst of despair
I wrote:
“Heaven smiles
but I look up
upside down
and think
it’s a frown.”
Now I have learned
through the constant
showers and waves
of love
to straighten my back
stand upright
lift my head
and gaze
into those deep pools
of unending love.
This is prayer:
to dare to look up
to dare to speak
to dare to listen
to dare to be loved.
Backfromtheborderlands's Blog 
I love the “to dare” part! Courage . . . why is it essential in order to receive?
Yes, courage to receive. I like that. Maybe we need courage to un-clench our fists, raise our heads, we are so afraid we won’t be loved or accepted? Those are the messages we have heard for so long.