“If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you here. If you feel too much, don’t go. If this world is too painful, stop and rest. It’s okay to stop and rest. If you need a break, it’s okay to say you need a break. This life–it’s not a contest, not a race, not a performance, not a thing that you win. It’s okay to slow down. You are here for more than grades, more than a job, more than a promotion, more than keeping up, more than getting by. This life is not about status or opinion or appearance.”
This passage is from one of my favorite books that gives me hope no matter what’s going on in my life. I wanted to share it with everyone this week because I feel that these words can touch many lives today.
The book is titled, If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski. Some of you may know him as the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, “a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.”
I recently had the chance to meet Jamie and hear him speak in person. He is such an amazing person and his words have touched thousands.
His book was recently expanded and sold in stores all around the world. I really think this book gives readers the hope that everyone looks for in dark times.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
“The stars are always there but we miss them in the dirt and clouds. We miss them in the storms. Tell them to remember hope. We have hope.”
“Love is a thousand things, but at the center is a choice. It is a choice to love people. Left to myself, i get quiet and bitter and critical. i get angry. i feel sorry for myself. It is a choice to love people. It is a choice to be kind. It is a choice to be patient, to be honest, to live with grace. i would like to start making better choices.”
“Help is real. Hope is real. These things are possible. You’re not alone.”
“You don’t have to convince anyone. Your value is not based on performance. You deserve love. You deserve friends. You’re enough.”
“Continue to communicate. Continue to bring light to dark place, even as you struggle.
Continue to hold the flag for love and hope. It’s what you were made to do.”
If you want to know more about Jamie, his book, or his movement, go to https://twloha.com/
I hope that Jamie’s message inspires you, as much as it inspired me!