Hold Tight

I feel a tiredness in my soul today. The world is just messy and sad and hard. Now more than ever we need to hold onto the people who truly see us in all shades of light, in all shades of night. People who we don’t have to question will be there when we need them the most. Not in theory or in well-intended clichés, but on the ground, in the trenches – with us. People who see our flaws and adore us despite those flaws. People who celebrate our uniqueness and hold a mirror to our souls when we start to doubt the value we bring to the world.

I want to be that person --- that fights like hell for you when you can’t see your way clear of the madness. That sees you, and knows you, and reminds you of the best version of yourself. And I want you to be that person for me. Because without love, without true, gritty connection, we are all just hollowed out beings walking through a wasteland without purpose and without hope. And this kind of existence was never our dream. It was never meant to be our future. So if you happen to find those few who defy this fate, hold tight – hold tight and never let go.

Brave

Choosing to be brave is never a mistake.
But sometimes it will cost you every drop of strength you had left in your being.
And when it does - when it leaves your heart cracked, stripped bare,
And your soul a desert of wasted love and wilted dreams,
You'll tell yourself that you were foolish.
Too idealistic. Too hopeful. Too bold.
You'll tell yourself to be silent next time.
You'll tell yourself it must be you.
But it was never you.
You, my dear one, are the brightest truest thing there ever was.

So write this on the chalkboard of your mind.
Scream it in the chambers of your heart.
Choosing to be brave is never a mistake.
Because in that choice, you honor yourself.
You honor humanity.
You honor life itself.
We were never meant to be vessels of unspoken words,
Of fear, of cowardice,
Of smothered hopes,
And stifled cries.

I know right now you feel trapped in the sadness,
In the fog of unanswered questions,
In the hauntings of self doubt,
But you are not trapped forever.
Because only in complete vulnerability can you ever be free.
And you set yourself free every single time you choose to speak up,
To step out,
To leap,
To love.

Surround Yourself

Surround yourself with those who can appreciate and relate to the fathoms, complexities, and brilliant colors of your soul. There will always be those in this life that will find a reason to tear you down. But their actions can never define you. Be who you are. Be your brilliant, quirky, weird, crazy, wonderful self. And surround yourself with those you can remind you of who you are when doubt creeps in – those that say: I see you, and I know you, and it’s all going to be okay.

Facing Tomorrow

We are all flawed, imperfect, broken creatures.
You worry that your honesty about your struggles will scare someone away – that removing your mask and exposing your vulnerabilities and the things that aren’t so pretty or shiny will be too much for someone to hear, or to bear.
Hard subjects are frightening to those who refuse to be open.
Some people will be your friend for a lifetime.
Others, for a moment. 
And some will leave, and you will always wonder why.
But you can't doubt yourself.
You can't beat yourself up.
You can’t hide yourself away or struggle alone.
Community is found in vulnerability.
Writing, speaking, and sharing your story helps you heal and brings hope to those who are struggling just like you are. 
Just as the sun sets each day, it rises – and with it, comes hope.
And sometimes hope is all you need to face another tomorrow.