“Tears are words that need to be written” — Paulo Coelho

I feel like there are words, or more appropriately, feelings that are clamoring to get out and onto the blank space, to fill the void. And yet, there are none. There are none that can adequately convey what needs to be said.

Maybe the words are there but the courage to say them is not.

“Write openly and honestly about what hurts” — Ernest Hemingway 

I feel grief. Grief over death. Grief over a natural part of life that never feels natural or normal when it’s staring you directly in the face. Grief over the knowledge that because of death there are words left unsaid.

Saying what needs to be said can be hard. Telling that friend how important they are to you, or standing up for yourself when the odds are stacked against you. Saying what needs to be said truthfully and honestly leaves your heart exposed, raw, and cracked.  Leaving our hearts exposed, raw, and cracked can be — and often is — painful. When our hearts are cracked, though, they are stronger. The light within us can shine through and the light around us can come in. Our true selves are what people see, what they can connect with, and what they can love. Not saying what needs to be said leaves your heart closed, protected, and intact. It is intact, but it leaves us unable to make true connections. Saying what needs to be said hurts, but it does not hurt nearly as much as not saying anything at all.

Have courage and be kind.
Say what needs to be said.

Peace be the journey.