A little encouragement tonight - why you have strength and courage

[writetolife]

Please remember what what you're doing right now takes an incredible amount of strength and courage.

It takes the courage to intentionally face memories and fears that you could just as easily run away from. 

It takes the strength to resist the lies that your thoughts are telling you. 

It takes the courage to work on things that in the short term cause anxiety, depression, dissociation, and even flashbacks, believing that life will be better for it in the long run. 

It takes the courage to force yourself to face your therapist week after week and admit that you're struggling, that you have ugly parts in your life, that you hold memories that no one should have to hold onto. 

It takes courage to be humble enough to admit for the 15th week in a row that you still feel like crud. 

It takes strength to refuse to give your personality up to your trauma or disorder. 

It takes courage to search though all the trash to find yourself again.   

It takes both strength and courage to function day after day at whatever level, even though you don't feel like it.


What you're doing is amazing.  I'm proud of you. 

Feel free to add more things that take strength and courage in replies.   

[Dutch Uncle]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[writetolife]

You're welcome, Dutch Uncle!  I posted it because I figured some other people probably needed as much as i did tonight.

[Sandstone]

Totally agree writetolife we are very brave.

[Kizzie]

It takes courage and strength to tell ourselves that we are:

          - human and making mistakes is okay
          - doing the very best that we can in this moment
          - are lovable just as we are

[Wife#2]

It takes strength to get out of bed when every fiber of your being is screaming to be left alone.

It takes strength to be polite without providing TMI when acquaintances ask, 'How are you, today?'.

It takes courage to go to work when you know some people there will be a problem for you.

It takes strength & courage to look at your life and determine that some people in your life cause more problems then bring you peace - and deciding to get them out of your life.

It takes strength to out-shout that inner or outer critic when you realize your truth is opposite of their words.

It takes courage to give yourself caring and love.

[sanmagic7]

it takes strength and courage to open that door marked 'fear' and face it.

it takes strength to resist changing yourself for the sake of others.

it takes courage to be vulnerable and ask for help.

it takes courage to stand up and fight for your 'self'.

it takes courage to allow your emotions to be what they are.

it takes courage to accept compliments.

it takes courage to admit to not knowing everything.

it takes courage and strength to be human.

[woodsgnome]

Outstanding thread...thank you, write-to-life.

...It takes courage and strength to get out of one's storyline, one's definition of self (victim, seeker, low/no self-esteem, etc.).

...It takes courage to step outside the box of compulsive or socially approved ways of being.

...It takes strength to accept the notion that pain, sadness, and deep grief can be invitations to life, and courage to resist the urge to just run away.

...It takes courage to buck the notion that happiness equals unfettered ease and constant smooth sailing.

...It takes strength to live beyond regret and fear; and to recognize the inherent beauty of what once seemed so broken.