Religion is excellent cover for the unscrupulous; it is much harder to think than it is to pray. - Eric Maisel

Before you can make meaning, an odd kind of election process must occur. You must nominate yourself as the meaning-maker in your life and as the hero of your own story. Then you must consciously elect yourself to that position.

You are free to cut off contact with toxic people and to eliminate toxic beliefs from your system.

To nominate yourself as the hero of your own story is to step outside society, not with the intention of turning your back on it but with the intention of not allowing it to dictate to you.