#courange

Note to self. Needed this today.

Dauntless manifesto

Philip K. Dick

because you need to be you, to be beautiful. 

Rollo May

Sometimes, but not very often, we hear songs that are more than just beautiful words, and pretty melodies, and fancy instrumentals.  Songs that define our lives, and make us pause.  I guess the reality is that, these aren't simply songs.  They're anthems. "Stay Strong" by Michael Stagliano is just that.  An anthem. I downloaded his E.P and heard the song for the first time while I was driving home today.  I recognized the voice and knew it was a song that I hadn't heard yet.  But it wasn't until: "You knock me down, but I'm not giving up.  You try to drown me, but I'm coming up for air.  Oh, you can rattle the cage, but the animal stays.  I'll stay strong", that I REALLY listened.  I kept driving, but then I heard: "And even though I'm left alone, and you cut me deep to the bone.  I'm still standing, like I planned it, you won't get the best of me.  I'm coming back, coming back."  I pulled over and parked by car, and started the song over. I saw my life flash before my eyes.  I saw a 14 year old girl being sexually assaulted, and looking for love in all the wrong places for years after.  I saw a girl worried when her daddio had a heart attack, and feeling like it was her fault in the years after whenever he ended up feeling sick again because she didn't "save him good enough", and worrying when her mom was suffering an anxiety attack.  I saw years of being bullied in HighSchool.  I saw trusting people who didn't deserve a single breath of air, and pushing away the people who cared the most.  I saw a girl turning 18 and not being excited about being legal and drinking and bars, but being excited to go to a different city for College and get away from the little town where who she is was a secret.  I saw College, and counseling, and learning the most precious thing: it was never MY fault.  I saw a girl who is now preparing to stand infront of hundreds at an event, and share a story about standing strong, regardless of how rattled her cage has been.  I saw a girl who now believes that life is a gift, and it's worth the fight.  I saw a girl who despite being heartbroken a hundred times, is willing to give it another try some day, because she believes in a love like this. Sometimes in life, things get tough.  Sometimes, things get fucking unbearable.  Sometimes you get knocked down, and people try to rattle your cage, and you feel like you're drowning.  But those are the times that we learn the most; about forgiveness, about love, about faith, about trusting.. and about staying strong.

The Sandman's Dream