Thrasher padded along in the wild grasses before she stumbled upon a slight clearing. There were rocks strewn about, but something oddly familiar tickled her senses. Scenting the air, she followed her nose to a small rock formation in the greenery. Claw marks adorned the rugged surface. Obviously done out of rage and anguish, the claw marks were deep and jagged.

She recognized those marks. This was where she would take out her anger as a younger lion, she gently traced her much larger claws through the smaller gouges. Smiling, she took both of her large paws and felt all the grooves before making a few other marks, to sharpen her claws.

The lion sat back on her hind legs and flicked her tail around, her mane and wings gently rustling in the wind. Placing her right paw on the stone, she patted it and smiled warmly before licking her left paw.

It was like tracing your angsty cub years and finally realizing that there was no need for the anger. A sense of peace washed through the lioness as she groomed herself. Her claws were sharpened on the memories, how she used to be. How she has risen above her impulsive, destructive youth, a new start rang clear in her mind. If today was the day to better herself and rise above who she used to be, today was that day.

Sure, Thrasher is still a lion, a beast, an animal. The hunt was still there, the need for battle and the protective nature of a guardian still ran through her veins. In her is the blood of warriors, her family, her friends. Like the phoenix that protected her life, like the moon that guided her through the darkest nights and the roughest tides...she had found her reason ro rise up once more. The first step was a bump on the head, that old monkey was right, the past can hurt - but you can either run from it, or learn from it.

The past does not define who you are now as a living, breathing being. Noone can take who you are deep inside your heart and mind. Finding yourself is important, I am still on a road to self discovery and healing from a broken mind. If you want to take the journey with me, feel free to walk beside me. We all have a destination, but it is the journey that will be the exciting part.

Call this an awakening if you must, but I have opened my eyes, my heart and mind. The winds are changing, change is good. Change means you are growing, change means you can be whatever you wish to be.

I have placed the first paw print on the path to finding myself, bettering myself and hopefully become a better person.

My life is my own, my heart beats deep in my chest, my soul is wild, my mind may be fading, but from here on in. I'm going to enjoy life as it comes, one step at a time. One pawstep infront of another. I know I may find a rocky road ahead of me, mental health and physical health problems will always be there, but I am DETERMINED as ever to find my way.

I am me. I am Thrasher. I am that twisted lion, tattered and torn, scarred inside and out. I have the spirits of nature deep in me.

I change with the phases of the moon, the wolf inside me is strong. The lion I am is strong.

I will find my way.

Thank you for being here for me. <3