What if all of it matters?

You and I are living stories. We all are. Everyone has parts of their story that they don’t like, pages and chapters they wish they could erase. It becomes hard to live in the present, and we frequently try to go back. To relive the past, to do it over.

But within that same story, there are the parts of it that we love. The things that make you smile and laugh. Good memories, favorite movies, books, songs, people…the things that speak to you, fill your lungs with air, and remind you that you’re alive.

We are still early in our story, with so much left to write.

But what if all of the things that make up your story, the hard stuff and the good stuff…the fears, and hopes, and dreams….what if all of it matters?

The story you are living is yours, and it is entirely unique. A story where no one can replace you. Your role is priceless, and no one else can play your part. You are someones favorite person.

And if you find yourself struggling right now, I hope you know this.
You deserve better, you deserve more. Every good story requires more than one character. Two people, or a few people, walking through something together. It’s never just one person. We were never meant to do this alone.

We all need those people. The ones we can call in the middle of the night, the ones we can lean on, people who truly know you and love you.

I hope you have someone like that.
And if you don’t, do you believe that you deserve it?

If there’s ever a time where you consider giving up on your story, if the pain becomes too big, if it all feels like to much weight to carry…I hope those people step in and remind you of just how much you matter, that your story is still worth fighting for. I hope they show up with flashlights and lifeboats, ready to weather the storm with you. And if you’re not yet up for a battle, I hope they can be there for you with their strong, silent presence. Ready to fight for you, fight with you, whenever you’re ready.

You don’t have to fake it. Other people feel this way too. You are more than just your pain.

Pain will tell you to keep quiet, but that is a lie. Life is fragile, and we all break in different ways. So many of us live alone, on islands made of nightmares. But there’s no reason that we have stay there.

You can be honest. You can ask for help.

We don’t have to do it alone.