You belong on this journey
just as much as anyone else.
No matter how others see you
or how you have been made to think less of yourself.
And this journey has not been easy,
but this is also true:
beautiful strength and courage
is rising up within you.
The mere that you’re here is a gift.
No matter who doesn’t seem to notice.
And for all that is unknown,
you are still free to have hope.
And hope is an act of courage
because you don’t actually know
how it all plays out.
You don’t exactly know
what lies around the bend.
But you are free to trust
you will keep growing,
over and over again.
The sun will still rise.
Light will still pour in.
And in that morning Light,
may you be reminded: you belong.
Wake up at dawn and feel
the indiscriminate warmth
in the bird’s early song.
For perhaps
even without knowledge
of what tomorrow looks like,
You are here
And it matters.
You belong in this life.
You belong on this journey
just as much as anyone else.
No matter how others see you
or how you have been made to think less of yourself.
II
Special thanks to Raphael Nogueira, Kevin Gutowski, and @museumsvictoria for your contributions to the public domain via @unsplash so I could make these mixed media pieces!
- MHN
