@tinybuddha

Andrea Gibson, The Madness Vase

“I don’t want you to save me. I want you to stand by my side as I save myself.”

— Unknown

you have to admit there are some joys in life that can only be felt due to hardship. a common example is steaming hot showers. it takes a cold day, or a sickness, for someone to experience the joy of a hot shower. you can’t enjoy it in the heat. then there’s the joy of a fulfilling sleep, often achieved through a tiring day. and there’s the joy of a reunion, achieved through separation. and there are many more examples. sometimes difficulty carries a special range of joys and that’s something to be thankful about.

it’s okay to have “unflattering” symptoms

it’s okay to have “embarrassing” symptoms

it’s okay to have “gross” symptoms

it’s okay to have “ugly” symptoms

it’s okay to have “inconvenient” symptoms

Sometimes, you have to decide, “this is the last time these people are gonna make me feel this way” and stand on it. Whether it’s family, a relationship, or a friendship.

Maturity is not seeking revenge. It's healing and moving on, so you don’t become like the people who traumatized you.