P.S. I Love You // 4.9.16

"Break it down when it seems too big, down to the pieces, to the seconds, when the hours seem too daunting. Find the miniature miracles, the smell of coffee roasting, before your eyes know to open wide, the first sip of tea when the chill hasn't faded. Find the sunlight that seeps through the treetops, and the far off sounds of bird songs, find the hint of laughter riding on the voices of those you love, and if they are not near, find the excitement in knowing that at any moment, your life could become filled with noise, with feverish joy.  Look, and you'll find it all, and it's been hiding in plain sight all this time." -Tyler Knott Gregson

Each day is a chance to fall in love with our journey. With the story of our lives. Choosing love doesn't have to be romantic. Strip away the cheesy heart balloons, bouquets of roses, and boxes of chocolates. I'm not talking about a Valentine's Day love. This is a real and gritty love that embraces all the pieces of our messy lives. That shines through us, reflecting onto the people who cross our path. An appreciation for the inevitable highs and lows. For the times the light shines on us the brightest. For the times all the sacrifices are finally worth it. For the times we feel worn out by the daily routine. For the times we feel too busy to care.

Sometimes life is exhausting. There are too many expectations. Too many pressures. Too many lists of what to do or not to do. Decisions made according to "shoulds", instead of what ignites our hearts. Not that what our hearts want is always pure, but falling too deep into "should" is the best way to lose ourselves.

It's ok to admit defeat. It's ok to feel less than inspired. It's ok to have a bad day. It's ok to sleep in and have ice cream for breakfast. It's ok not to have a plan. It's ok to say no. It's ok to yes. It's ok to be lonely. It's ok to feel lost. It's ok to make mistakes. But ok should never be an excuse for not working toward our best.

Because just like any love, every day is not going to be blissful and happy. The most learning may come on the days when we feel our worst. Some days we are exactly who we want to be, and others we will disappoint ourselves. But it's all about grace and forgiveness right? Taking the time to work through it with honesty. The relationship with our soul is no different than any other relationship. It takes work and perseverance. Loyalty and gentleness. Generosity and thoughtfulness. Each day is a mystery. We must give ourselves space to fail. To discover. To change our minds. There is so much to learn, but it's a daily decision to move forward.

Let's make saying I love you to ourselves and to each other a daily practice. There's so much hate in misunderstanding and comparison, but maybe if we accepted ourselves, we could focus on the beauty in each other. In the differences. Maybe we could find the light in each day of our journey on this earth.

<3 Tay

P.s. I love you.