Victory is not to change the mind of the critic;
it is to evaluate what you can learn and discard,
yet still walk away with peace in your heart.
I used to think enduring struggles and hard days in silence and telling people everything was great meant I was strong. But recent events have taught me that hiding my misery just means I am scared - scared of people not loving me any other way. Scared of sharing the lessons that pain has to teach. It turns out people desperately need to see the full human experience, especially the dark parts. They need to know that other folks struggle, too, and that it's all part of a bigger story of triumph. They need permission to keep going, knowing that hardship is normal for everyone. Give them that gift. Have that courage. Tell the whole story.
