Let me tell you a story about the scars on my ankle and wrist, those little red lines that become my defining feature

They are the continuation of my life, for even when I wanted to die, I was able to suffice that craving with the outward expression that these little red lines represent

I am not proud of them, but I am proud that they now remain as just little red lines instead of the open wounds that I once carried

Not a day goes by that I do not regret what I have done, but from this I have a chance to grow, and if my regrets are a means to inspire others, than I am happy for the little red lines

Every time I look at them I am reminded of why I did it, and why I will not do it again, for these little red lines hold the sad memories that got me to where I am today

Without these little red lines, I might not be standing here, and though I did not recognise it then, they saved my life but in the worst way possible

Having little red lines is not good, no I do not recommend this to anyone, but it is better to heal from self-inflicted pain than to inflict a never ceasing one on others

I do not wish for the little red lines to be gone; moreover, they paint a picture of life, one larger and more hopeful than I could ever speak with words alone

My scarred-up flesh, marked with little red lines will forever be a part of me, but that should not be how I am defined, no we do not judge on mistakes but on how we fix them

These long sleeves and pants are not a product of my shame but rather a means of not to trigger another or to draw attention to those little red lines

Some may call me a fool or selfish when they see the little red lines, but be glad that my blood now flows inside of me rather than down my pillow to be blotted by tissues

If asked about my little red lines I will answer truthfully, I have no shame, but I fear others pitying words or looks of disdain but honestly, what did they expect my answer to be

These little red lines appear on about 1/3 of American teens, and for such a high statistic, there is so little care or change

Let us take these little red lines and produce a masterpiece, a picture of the bittersweet journey that is the marred up flesh forever carried