PEBBLE
I hope beautiful things happen to you, and when they do, I hope you can believe you are worthy of every single one of them.
~F. E. Marie, shared by Emma in La Crosse, WI
BOULDER
The greatest gift you will ever offer someone is far more precious than anything wrapped in ribbon or bought with wealth. It’s the silent permission you give them to feel safe in their own skin, to breathe without fear, and to embrace their true essence without the need to shrink or apologize. It’s the quiet, unspoken acknowledgment that they are worthy, not because of what they do, but because of who they are, in all their imperfect, raw humanity.
~Katie Kamara, shared by Catherine in Sydney, Australia
PONDER
I’ve been on the road lately, firing up groups as they dive into the hustle and bustle of a new academic year. At one event, after unloading gear and chatting with early arrivers, I completely forgot to change out of my travel clothes before stepping up to present. Whoops! I confessed my little blunder and we all had a good laugh. During a break, someone told me, “I’m actually glad you stayed in that outfit—it made you seem more like one of us.”
At the end of the day I thanked the group and added, “I think you got a better me today, because you let me be me.” On the long drive home, I kept thinking about how good it feels when we are seen, respected, and loved just as we are.
A few days later, Facebook reminded me of a 2016 post where I asked: “What do you wish you had known as a teenager that might have helped you through difficult times?” My favorite response came from Jason, who said: “The things that made me feel like an outsider as a kid eventually became the things I am highly valued for as an adult.”
All of this has me wondering what ripples could be unleashed if we all focused our energy on helping every soul we encounter walk away feeling more at home in their own skin. How would it impact them, and how might it impact us? Let’s try it and see!
Peace,
Paul