Last week a friend sent a picture of a quote from Maya Angelou.
I’m not sure how many times I’ve read these words and yet…they are always powerful. Full of truth and wisdom that I aspire to speak into the world as well. And there was a familiar voice that said, “You will never be this wise. What could you possibly say that is more profound or beautiful than this?”
But that voice is so often wrong. And I wondered…if someone asked me what I had learned about life, what would I say? I rolled the question around in my mind for a few days before I stretched out on my bed, notebook and pen in hand, and wrote this…
I’ve learned that we all deserve more love, not less (especially the person you think might be the exception to that rule).
I’ve learned that overthinking is a sign of underfeeling and that even feeling the good stuff like love and joy can be scary.
I’ve learned my intuition is never wrong.
I’ve learned that I can be hurt and still respond with grace and kindness - sometimes. (I know, it surprised me too)
I’ve learned that good music, a path through the trees, and the willingness to bawl my eyes out while still moving forward is the best medicine for grief.
I’ve learned that healing happens in layers, like an onion, and it’s okay if you need to heal the same thing over and over again. And there are many paths in.
I’ve learned that while trauma has written my past, love will write my future.
I’ve learned that I am powerful, like a wide, deep, swift river and when I shrink from that it doesn’t make me less powerful it simply builds a dam where one shouldn’t exist. The power remains unchanged.
I’ve learned that I still have so much more to learn (and that’s exciting), that Maya Angelou was right about pretty much everything, and no matter how much that anxious voice in my head tells me I’m f*cking all of this up - I’ve managed to create a beautiful life.
Jess