I used anger and aggression to fuel my words.

That's when I could only see two sides.

Mine and Yours.

His and Hers.

Good and Bad.

Black and White.

Rich and Poor.

I wanted the poor to have plenty yet I was angry at those who had more.

I wanted the minorities to be treated as equals yet longed to bring down those in control.

I wanted peace but found none when I used words to fight a war.

Now, I have a different kind of fuel for these black and white words on paper. It's an intention to share inspiration, encouragement and acceptance for all, not just one.

I want to leave anger out of this written mess. I don't need an enemy to make a difference.

But sometimes I still fail. Sometimes I'm misunderstood. Sometimes I'm lazy and re-use those old angry words that are much easier to spit out. That's when I'm confronted with an old enemy knocking on my door.

But sometimes something else happens.

It usually comes after I've shared words from the heart.

That's when my day is met with words of kindness, letters of inspiration and e-mails of genuine gratitude.

One day it even happened on the street when I met up with a reader who blew my mind when she quoted me.

She remembered my written words. And they were not the ones fueled in anger. They were the words I shared out of love.

Why should you be my enemy when I have enough demons of my own?

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.