“You are not supposed to be happy all the time. Life hurts and it’s hard. Not because you’re doing it wrong, but because it hurts for everybody. Don’t avoid the pain. You need it. It’s meant for you. Be still with it, let it come, let it go, let it leave you with the fuel you’ll burn to get your work done on this earth.” ~ Glennon Doyle Melton

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It takes courage to show up in life.

It takes even more courage to show up as who you are in genuine authenticity, even if you don’t think it’s who the world wants to see.

It’s so f*cking vulnerable to tell your truth when you don’t think anyone will care, notice, or validate it.

And to communicate your loving truth? It can be fear-provoking, especially in a world of emotional destruction and chaos.

To write it? To speak truth to it in a society where our very right to “feeling” and “being” is threatened? It’s scary.

But somewhere out there, there’s probably someone hurting so deeply and experiencing the same pains that you’re bringing to light, they’ve just been yearning for someone to help them make their unknown, known—for days, for years, or for their lifetime.

What happens when we feel deep pain and great joy, and we just don’t feel safe talking about it?

Dear heart, you’re born to be a truth-teller, so stop hiding it.

The identities we’ve hidden behind and the capes we’ve worn to deflect hatred and anger and our lack of feeling accepted and heard—they’re safe. They serve their purpose of protecting our tender hearts.

Have the courage to tell the story of who you are with your own heart—it’s a beautiful one.

Show up in your life.

Show up, even if you’re scared.

Show up, even when you’re shaking.

Sitting with the pain of being human without looking for the exit is the greatest teacher in communicating your loving truth and learning to be damn proud of it—even when you just don’t want to.

Whether we’re writing, speaking, remember this: Everyone is worthy, just because they exist.

Stop telling someone else’s truth. It’s time to start telling—and living—yours.

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Author: Caitlin Oriel

Image: Elephant Archives