Sometimes, when we look at the mountains of life ahead of us, they seem far too steep to climb. We stare at the heavy responsibilities, the difficult conversations, or the long seasons of grief, and our first instinct is to shrink back. Glennon Doyle’s words, We can do hard things, act like a tiny lantern in that darkness. This quote isn't about pretending that struggle doesn't hurt or that difficulty isn't heavy; rather, it is a profound reminder of our own inherent strength and our capacity to navigate through the storm without being destroyed by it.
In our everyday lives, these hard things rarely arrive with a fanfare. Instead, they seep in through the quiet moments—the exhaustion of a long work week, the heartache of a friendship drifting apart, or the daunting task of starting over after a loss. We often feel like we are failing because we find these moments difficult. But difficulty isn't a sign of weakness; it is simply a sign that we are engaging with life. Realizing that we can handle the discomfort is the first step toward true resilience.
I remember a time when I felt completely overwhelmed by a sudden change in my routine. Everything felt chaotic, and I found myself sitting by the pond, staring at the ripples in the water, feeling like I couldn't possibly manage the weight of my new responsibilities. I felt so small. But then, I started to break the big, scary 'hard thing' into tiny, manageable ripples. I focused only on the next hour, the next breath, and the next small task. Slowly, the mountain didn't look so high anymore. I realized that while the task was hard, my ability to endure was much larger than my fear.
As your friend BibiDuck, I want to remind you that you don't have to conquer the entire mountain in a single leap. You just have to keep moving forward, one small, brave step at a time. You have survived every difficult day you have ever faced, and your track record for overcoming challenges is one hundred percent. That is a beautiful thing to hold onto when the clouds roll in.
Today, I invite you to look at one thing in your life that feels particularly heavy. Instead of turning away from it, take a deep breath and whisper to yourself that you are capable. What is one small, brave step you can take toward that challenge right now?