Then There's Another Day

There will be a moment that you look back and it will not cause you pain anymore. You will not tear up, you will not get angry, and you will not get that awful knot in the pit of your stomach. You will look yourself in the mirror and say, "I made it." That's when you realize it.

At one point you were so broken you couldn't even say his name or look at a picture of him. Some nights you were walking into your best friend's room, falling on the floor, and crying hysterically for hours. During the day you were coming out of the shower, falling to the floor in your robe, and sobbing uncontrollably. You sobbed  so long that day that your friends had to pick you up and dress you themselves...literally. Every day you were so depressed that you hated your life, yourself, and no longer wanted to live. Then something happened.

Then there's another day. One day, like nothing, you find yourself willingly looking back, and you realize that, all of a sudden, you can look at pictures, reminisce, and feel that one sensation in your heart that you searched months for: peace. That's when you know you're not a victim of heartbreak and depression. You're a warrior who has rebuilt herself stronger than ever before. You woke up every day, fought, and won. Congratulations.

You are allowed

You are allowed to feel any emotion that overcomes you in any instance. You are allowed to be bitter and angry if someone hurts your feelings and betrays you. You are allowed to feel uneasy when you have made a mistake. You are allowed to feel proud when you achieve something you have worked so hard for. You are allowed to feel inspired and invigorated when you engage in your greatest work. You are allowed to, and will, feel uncomfortable when practicing vulnerability.

It is okay to cry out of sadness and pain, just like it is okay to shed tears of joy. We're human. The ability to feel and express emotion is one of our greatest assets. Enjoy the emotions that make you feel good. For the emotions that make you feel not so good, work through them, understand their source, and address them in a way specific to your needs so that you can, eventually, let them go. However, be patient with yourself. Remember that feeling and expressing certain emotions is by no means easy, and that's okay.

I Believe In

I believe in loaning your friends money, even if there is no guarantee that they will pay you back.
I believe in hoping that people have a great night, even if they might not leave you a tip on the table.
I believe in running outside, even while snow remains on the ground from a long winter.
I believe in breakfast at any hour of the day, and homemade meals that make our bellies so full...even if your pants fit too tight afterwards.
I believe in laughing with your best friend over the fact that neither of you have your lives together, even if you both act like you do all the time.
I believe in the healing magic of sports, for both the fans and the players, even if you just lost a game.
I believe in the freedom of singing loudly, regardless of how you sound.
I believe in telling the people you love just how much you really do love them daily, even if they get tired of hearing it.
I believe in the peace and stillness after a deep breath in the midst of chaotic moments.
I believe in the power of unconditional love, no matter how many times you've been hurt by the world.