We teach ourselves and condition ourselves to believe that we have the ability to break and, more importantly, that others have the ability and power to break us. But it isn't true. No one has that power over you. Our inner being, soul, spirit, identity - whatever you decide to call it - is, in fact, entirely whole and untouchable; that is, unless you allow it to be. It is a matter of perception.

In our darkest of times, light can seem an impossibility. Have hope. Be kind. One step at a time. One glimmer, then the next. You’ll get there. I have tasted darkness, as we all have, and I have found that moving gently helps.

But this does involve actually moving. Here is a trail I have tried. It may work, it may not, but you are a reason worth trying. So, let’s go.

They gift us with so much love. So, let us honor that love by feeling special for how they truly see us... and then love them even more for it.

Full admission, I am still learning this one myself. How to feel again. It’s terrifying. Seriously, how do you feel when you've had to go numb just to survive? How do you feel when you've been taught that, when you do feel, bad things happen?