Grief never ends… But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor lack of faith. It’s the price of love.

Grief never ends… But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor lack of faith. It’s the price of love.

The most intimate thing we can do is to allow people we love most see us at our worst. At our lowest. At our weakest. True intimacy happens when nothing is perfect.

The main thing in life is not to be afraid to be human.

Do that which best stirs you to love.

The real labour is to remember, to attend. In fact, to come awake. Still more, to remain awake.

COMPLIMENTS THAT AREN’T ABOUT PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
1) You’re empowering.
2) I like your voice.
3) You’re strong.
4) I think your ideas/beliefs matter.
5) I’m so happy you exist.
6) More people should be listening to what you have to say.
7) You’re a very warm hearted person.
8) It’s nice seeing such kindness.
9) You’re very down to earth.
10) You have a beautiful soul.
11) You inspire me to become a better person.
12) Our conversations bring me a lot of joy.
13) It’s good to see someone care so much.
14) You’re so understanding.
15) You matter a lot to me.
16) You’re important even if you don’t think so.
17) You’re intelligent.
18) Your passion is contagious.
19) Your confidence is refreshing.
20) You restore my faith in humanity.
21) You’re great at being creative.
22) You’re so talented at ____.
23) I don’t get tired of you the way I get tired of other people.
24) You have great taste in ___.
25) I’m happy I stayed alive long enough to meet you.
26) I wish more people were like you.
27) You’re so good at loving people.
28) Your laugh is absolutely contagious.
29) You always know how to make me smile.
30) You bring a sense of calm into my life.

This time last year, the whole winter season, was the darkest period of my life. I was suffering deep loss and hurt and grief. I cried and prayed and yelled. My most honest prayers included all the worst words I usually don’t ever say. I was sad for such a long time. I healed, but slowly. The months seemed to inch by for a while.

But in this moment, even as I type this, I am crying the big, sappy, happy, thankful tears. The theme for 2017 so far in conversations and my own reflection has been “Look at what God has done.” I honestly have so much joy and hope and expectancy for what the rest of this year holds, and I mean that in the most real way possible. My relationships, my emotional health, my business - everything has changed for the better, and I’m not exaggerating.

If you’re going through something hard or sad or weird, or even what feels like the very worst thing that could ever happen to you - keep trudging on. God will meet you there.

And a year from now, or even far less, you’ll be crying these tears too. I’ll cry them with you, just looking at everything He’s done.

lavendermask: 2017 is the year of skincare and communication

Original article and pictures take 78.media.tumblr.com site