It's Okay

 

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

It’s easy to feel uncared for when people aren’t able to communicate and connect with you in the way you need. And it’s so hard not to internalize that silence as a reflection on your worth. But the truth is that the way other people operate is not about you. Most people are so caught up in their own responsibilities, struggles, and anxiety that the thought of asking someone else how they’re doing doesn’t even cross their mind. They aren’t inherently bad or uncaring — they’re just busy and self-focused. And that’s okay. It’s not evidence of some fundamental failing on your part. It doesn’t make you unlovable or invisible. It just means that those people aren’t very good at looking beyond their own world. But the fact that you are — that despite the darkness you feel, you have the ability to share your love and light with others — is a strength. Your work isn’t to change who you are; it’s to find people who are able to give you the connection you need. Because despite what you feel, you are not too much. You are not too sensitive or too needy. You are thoughtful and empathetic. You are compassionate and kind. And with or without anyone’s acknowledgment or affection, you are enough.

~ Daniell Koepke

Just Nature

 Photo by Alice Karayiannis

If you ever find yourself empty from something you cannot know or name, find a stretch of ocean, a field or a mountainside, or even clouds or trees. Because there are 1,000 simple ways to fill your tired soul so you can remember how to be, how to see, and most importantly, how to breathe.

~ Victoria Erickson

The Moment

Sometimes it's not all about seizing the moment, in life, but allowing the moment to seize us.

Everyone tells us to seize the day, make the best out of every moment; not to let life pass us by. This doesn't actually imply not caring about the future and doing whatever pleases us in the current moment, as some people take it to mean. It means not to leave our future to chance, by making the best out of every opportunity given to us in the present moment, taking action, in order to perhaps ensure a better future. Of course we're all supposed to grow and learn, to have ambitions, to constantly seek, but we shouldn't let this constant need to always strive for the best, drain us out. We rush into action, most of the time in doubt, because we're afraid that opportunities will not arise again. We have this feeling that we need to constantly do more and be more in order to feel satisfied with ourselves and we start developing feelings of guilt or regret when we decide to just do nothing for a day or two (or rather when we decide to do something which pleases us but may not be productive in the way we want it to be, or the way it 'should' be). We have this need to constantly be in control of our current situation because we're in fear that we'll lose it all if we let go. Doesn't this make life a bit of a struggle for all of us? How can we relax and feel good about ourselves if our motto is to constantly have to seize the moment? 

Sometimes we just need to let the moment seize us, isn't that our inner purpose in life after all? To just be, without effort, to simply live in the present moment and to enjoy all that IS? Planning for the future is undoubtedly also important, but that comes second, after we learn to fully be conscious in the present moment because that is how we'll be able to make the best decisions, when we're at peace within. Allowing the moment to seize us means finding wonder in seemingly ordinary things, being pleasantly overwhelmed by the little things in life, allowing ourselves to experience all kinds of emotions, to be inspired. It means surrendering to life and all it has to offer instead of being in constant battle against it; the Universe does know better most of the time. It is during these moments that we feel infinite, connected with everything, at peace with ourselves, genuinely happy. Sometimes all we can do is to be patient, to wait; it's okay not to be in control for once, to feel a bit lost, that's also part of life and we should learn to accept it. Sometimes it's only when we lose ourselves that we eventually find ourselves. We need to be open to what life has in store for us and to learn to give time to ourselves to act upon what feels right in our heart.

Of course I'm not saying we should never try to make the most out of our current situations, but we should just learn that sometimes it is alright to let go of what may only hold us back, there is no need to constantly fight. Surrender and let life consume you for a while. Be still and listen to the world around you. Take time to notice your surroundings, to appreciate the people who mean most to you, to love and be loved, to be kind, to make the right decisions for the future, to do things that please you and simultaneously stimulate your growth. It's not always about seeking; life needs a bit of both in order to be balanced (and bearable), we should learn to slow down and enjoy it, we should learn to recharge. After all, sometimes it's the events that we can't control that shape us into who we are right now (those unexpected ones, the ones we hadn't planned), sometimes it's just those moments that matter most.

Real Love

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

There's something wrong with our hearts | When they beat pure they stand apart
In the black room, the light, watch the seabird fall
 

Real love, it finds you somewhere with your back to it