Messages in a bottle I write and send out into the ocean of humanity have a way of making their way back to me when I need them most.
Life doesn’t always get better.
That is an inescapable truth.
The people you love most can hurt you in ways you never imagined.
That is also an inescapable truth.
But these are also truths...
You can love them anyway, even with your heart breaking, even if it has to be from afar, even if they can no longer see who you are.
You can and will survive.
You are strong enough, even when it doesn’t feel that way.
You will rise wiser and softer and even stronger, just maybe not today. (And that’s okay.)
It’s okay to hurt.
It’s okay to cry, even if you need to find some hidden place to do it.
It’s okay to rest, even when you feel the weight of responsibility heavy on your shoulders, dragging you forward, urging you to keep going.
Take a moment.
Take a day.
Take what time you need.
Then carry on, love.
Rise. - L.R.Knost

Life doesn't always get better.
But you do.
You get stronger.
You get wiser.
You get softer.
With tattered wings
You RISE.
And the world watches in
Wonder
at the breathless beauty
of a human who survived life. - L.R.Knost