Somehow, along the way, we’ve reached the conclusion that we must be perfect. That the hurt and brokenness we feel must be kept hidden away at all times, like a dark secret that will most certainly be the demise of us.
I’m not exactly sure when or why this happened, but I know I don’t like it. The truth is, life can be painful and we should all be able to stop and say, “No, I’m not okay” without fear or shame.
If you’re not okay right now, I know that last thing you want to hear is that eventually, you will feel okay again. Eventually, you’ll be able to sleep soundly and smile without force. But that time is not now.
If you’re not okay right now, breathe. Pause in this exact moment, take a minute and just breathe.
Right now, you are alive and you are living an incredible story, a story made up of micro stories- some victories, some bitter losses that both matter and deserve to be told.
In this moment, know that you are loved beyond measure and that you meant to return that love to both the world and other people.
Know that you will find your place in this world. A place where you can be honest and real, a place where masks and scripts are not needed, a place where you know your worth without question.
A place where your ambitions are met and rewarded, a place where you can make an impact. A place like that exists and you will not only find it but thrive in it.
Most importantly, you will find happiness and you will find love. For right now, live in this exact moment.
Enjoy being you and who you are. The love you are waiting for is indescribable, but you will know it when it’s there. Until then, love yourself, love every inch of your body and your mind because you are incredible.
Strong but vulnerable, bold but reserved, beautiful but humble. You are that much closer to being able to love another person because you are learning to love yourself, and that is a beautiful and remarkable thing.
Every day will bring something different, but you know in your heart what you are capable of and just how much you deserve to get out of this life. So whatever you do, don’t give up and don’t walk away.
Whether it’s in love or anything else, fight for what you know is worth the fight. As hard as it may be to put everything on the line, that is exactly what you must do to get anything of true value out of this life.
You know you are strong enough and have enough tenacity to both achieve and overcome anything. So do it.
If you are not okay right now, know that that’s okay. Know that life was not designed to be easy, and even the strongest of people feel what you are feeling.
Know that like every other feeling, it is fleeting and you are not destined to feel this way forever.
If you are not okay right now, take a moment to just be.
Breathe.
You are alive.
Your story matters.
You are loved.
Breathe.
You will be okay.
