I saw this beautiful tweet today. It reads:
What is love?
By Emma K, Age 6
‘Love is when you’re missing some of your teeth but you’re not afraid to smile because you know your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.’
Reading it reminds me that we are all messy human beings, and life can be challenging and volatile and uncertain, but it can be made to feel a whole lot safer when we have people around us that accept us exactly as we are.
It’s taken me a long time to learn that, I spent many years trying to be a certain way (and to some extent I’m sure I still do try to ‘fit’ or show up in the right way in certain situations). In the past that lead me to abandon myself; I can remember times in work, in friendships and in relationships where I’ve pushed the parts of me I felt were awkward or wonky to one side. It only ever resulted in burn out, loneliness and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Now I try my hardest to show up in all my ways and with all my feelings to a small group of individuals who I know don’t judge or shame me for whatever I bring. It feels safe and free, and a little vulnerable and unnerving at times, but it’s still completely the way I want to be.
Humans are messy, colourful beings, and when we have people around us that welcome and support our full range, we begin to fly.
With love as always, Hannah and Team Bird
If someone you know would like to read the Bird blogs please send them this link: http://eepurl.com/hwAi0n
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash