Lessons I keep learning

I've been doing a lot of personal writing over the summer; processing different situations, examining the stories in my head, exploring different relationships. I've been re-reading and editing over the past few days and now that most pieces of the whole are laid out before me, I'm starting to see a few themes, a few ideas I can work with. It's been very therapeutic to just let all the words and emotions out, let them cascade until there is nothing left. This is where I find that the real work is, making sense of the various artifacts that a life full of experience and relationships leaves behind.

Most of this is too personal and raw to share here (and likely boring to anyone other than me) but there have been a few lessons learned that I think are worthwhile to pass along. Of course, you already know this stuff, but here are a few of the lessons I keep learning, over and over again.

I am stronger than I ever realized.
And so are you.

I am braver than I ever realized.
And so are you.

There are people who love me, who have my back.
And people who love you and have yours.

My story matters.
And so does yours.

I have the power to make my life look exactly how I want it to.
And so do you.

I can trust in myself.
And so can you.

I can trust in others.
And so can you.

I am held by something much bigger than myself.
And so are you.

I am responsible for my own happiness.
And you are responsible for yours.

I can keep getting up, keeping dusting myself off, and keep moving forward.
And so can you.