You are so much brighter than you think

A trigger.
One word, one situation, one action, one reaction. Or even a series of words, situations, actions, reactions.
And you find yourself back there.

Inhale.

You’re in that place where you’re small and weak and fragile and terrified and broken and on the verge of running for your life.
You’ve been here before. Perhaps many times.
The sinking feeling, falling, falling, falling. Breaking.

Exhale.

Here’s the thing: You’ve been here before.
You’ve survived.
Your strength is the reason you have come out alive.
Inhale.

You’ve learned the lessons, you’ve gained the strength.
Pick yourself up off the floor. Even if you still feel broken and small and weak and un-worthy, that will change.
You have that strength, that power, that change. It’s already in you, with you.

Exhale.

It may not be instant, it may not be permanent, it may not be perfect. It doesn’t have to be any of those things.
It has to be yours.
Trigger your inner strength, your inner power.
Let that rise, let that stand, let that shelter you.

Inhale.

Rise, piece by piece (even if those pieces are broken) and build yourself anew. Even if you’re shaking.
Even if you’re scared.
Even if it means you have to run, search, fight.
Fight for it. Fight for YOU.

Exhale.

You are not your traumas.
You are not your triggers.
You are not the things that broke you oh-so-long-ago.
You are you.
Here.
Now.
Breath.
Strength.
Beauty.
Inhale.

Shine your light. Let yourself shine.
You are so much brighter than you think.