Life is often challenging
It’s no secret that the world can be cruel.
For those who feel intensely, it can be especially hard to come to terms with the seemingly endless suffering and hardship we see and experience on a daily basis. The proliferation of modern technology, with smartphones, social media, and 24/7 news cycles, means we hold the sorrow of the world in our hands at all times, and no matter how much we refresh our feeds, it never ends. There’s always more to be found. When we put the phones down and step outside, we see it with our own eyes. We live it ourselves.
If you try to grapple with the immense sadness of the world, the weight of it will bring you to your knees.
People make life worth life living
Yet, there’s light in my life, and that comes from the people in it. And to those people—some of whom may be reading this—I want to express my gratitude.
It must be said that some of you merit a cascade of honors, more than I could ever give. If I tried, every second of every day, for the rest of my life, to capture the depth of my devotion to you, I would still fall short. But I have to start somewhere.
First and foremost, I love you. You are what’s kept me going each day, what’s kept me peeling myself off the mat every time I’ve been knocked down. The great joy of my life is knowing you. You’re who I look forward to seeing on my worst days, and who I picture when I reminisce on my best ones. I’m so grateful to you, eternally grateful, for loving me, even when—especially when—I didn’t feel worthy of that love.
In a chaotic, senseless world where it often feels like nothing does, thank you for making me feel like I matter. Every wonder on this earth—every golden sunrise, every summer breeze, every delicious meal, every hot shower, and every soft pillow—everything pales in comparison to you. Every star in the sky is dim compared to your light, and no melody lifts my heart the way the sound of your voice does.
Thank you for proving not everyone is cruel, and for showing me that, for as vile as we can be to one another, we can be equally loving and tender. Thank you for teaching me to love and value life.
Thank you for making me laugh, and for filling my heart with joy. Thank you for reminding me that we only grow up if we let ourselves, and that we never have to let go of our sense of wonder.
If we’ve grown apart, please know it’s only a matter of circumstance. My heart is open to you, now and forever. Our shared experiences will always mean something to me.
Beyond my friends and family, thank you to every person I’ve ever met for teaching me something about life, and for sharing our time and space here on Earth. Billions upon billions of souls have passed through this plane, and the concentric spheres of our universes overlapped, even if for a moment. That is no small thing.
Surrender yourself to gratitude
When you surrender yourself in gratitude for all people and things, it opens your heart to love. One of the most transformative decisions I’ve ever made is to let go of my bitterness towards anyone I felt may have wronged or hurt me. Anger and hatred are like poison. You shouldn’t keep toxic people in your life, but you don’t have to let them keep harming you in perpetuity. Wish them well and move forward without them. It is a thousand times easier said than done, but I promise that it will bring you peace.
This piece was originally published on The Way Home
