To be Soft Is To Be Brave

“No one will ever know the violence it took to become this gentle”

This was originally posted to the Paper Birds Instagram on July 16th:

Some more stream of consciousness since people seem to be connecting with these more than I thought. This will also be a bit of an extension of my post from July 2nd:

I talked a big game in high school, the way I described life and the world, taking the high road, the darks and the lights and the ultimate beauty of it all. Granted, I’d grown up a little faster than I should’ve so my words held some merit. But looking back, they almost ring hollow just because of how much pain (and joy) I’ve experienced since then.

I believe everyone needs an “everything sucks and I’m bitter” period, maybe multiple. But I also think it’s possible to transcend this, and doing intense inner work and reflection in and out of therapy has allowed that. There’s something so transformative about practicing radical love in your life. To yourself. To strangers. To friends. To foes. Of course, know how to keep yourself emotionally safe. But I feel there’s a pretty pervasive narrative that the world is cruel, to keep your guard up, that people are innately selfish, that innocence gets you hurt. But I don’t think that’s true. Or if it is, I’m not going to live that way.

Sure, I’ve gotten screwed over before when trying to be selfless. But I walked away proud of the love I gave. Know this: You will get cut in life either way. But I feel like when I was more jaded, I scarred. Now that I’m open, I bloom.

I fought hard for my hope. I tell my nieces the greatest thing they can do in life is be kind. And I think one of the most radical acts you can commit is to know what hell feels like and choose to be soft and gentle and compassionate anyway. What the world thinks of as my weakest parts are actually my most fought-for assets.

Hmm…just some late night thoughts.

(And yes, this is why I will forever stan Peeta from the #HungerGames).