This life is destined to offer you countless opportunities to learn the meaning of

"showing up for yourself" , to act in accordance with

your truth && to take the lead in your presence with your own worthiness.

Compromising to prolong relationships, to not lose in love && to stay within the illusion of safety && comfort is part of the journey.

Every single one of us does it && most of us do it multiple times.

I have && I do && I am certain I will again. It is just a mere consequence of being human, && I have nothing but grace left for

that.

We are all humans of connection, made for union, built for coregulation && community. Of course, we don't want to walk away.

We'll instead double down && lay it all on the line. This does not mean failure or weakness, I expect nothing less of myself.

This I know to be true: The connections that carry us into healing, offer us the space to explore, expand && grow WILL NOT leave us feeling like we are constantly folding in on ourselves.

A poem I once read said,

"I don't want to stay folded anywhere, because where I am folded, there I am a lie.

&& I want my grasp of things to be true"

Those relationships only hold when we fold, we bend, contort && diminish ourselves to fit.

Try unfolding. Stretch into the edges of the space you hold for

yourself.

If someone doesn't show up with a passionate sort of gratitude, the willingness to be a constant && consistent && hold the keys to unlock every last cage?

I promise, this is a love not near enough.

Staying in a grip not meant to hold requires a powerful sense of denial.

Decline the kind of love that requires

A compromise of your spirit.

The love that will nourish your soul && fuel your fire is a love that offers full agency over your heart && your body && your creativity && your life.

Remember this,

your love is a gift, is a truth, is a sacred thing.