“But it made you strong!”

How often we are tempted to say this to someone when they’ve been through a difficult time.

And it may well be the case.

But chances are that they are feeling anything but strong. They are likely feeling
exhausted
shattered
weak.

And they need someone who recognises that. Someone who – for just a while – can be the strong one for them. Can offer them a shoulder to cry on and an arm to support them.

Yes, when they feel like that, they need to rest.
They need to recharge, recoup and regain the strength they’re being told they have inside of them.

Because what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. But it sometimes very nearly kills us –
exhausts us
shatters us
weakens us.

They didn’t want to have to be strong.
They wanted life to be kinder.

And as it wasn’t, it might help them more than we realise

If we bring the kindness instead.

---

Becky Hemsley 2023
Beautiful artwork by Duy Huynh Studio

‘Kindness’ is from ‘Letters from Life’ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9MZC1?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_7MHZ6PG9GJY53219VD1T