Sometimes, the weight of the world feels a little too heavy for our wings to carry. We often approach our biggest challenges with a sense of grit and iron, thinking that the only way to survive a storm is to become as hard and unyielding as a rock. But Glennon Doyle reminds us of a much more beautiful truth: we don't have to sacrifice our softness to find our strength. We can face the most daunting mountains and the deepest valleys, and we can do it all while keeping our hearts open and our spirits kind.

In our daily lives, 'doing hard things' shows up in so many ways. It is the difficult conversation we have been avoiding, the grief we are navigating after a loss, or the exhausting effort of rebuilding our lives after a failure. Often, we think that being strong means being stoic or even a little bit cold. We believe that if we let ourselves feel compassion or tenderness, we might become too fragile to finish the task at hand. But true resilience actually grows when we pair our determination with a gentle touch.

I remember a time when I felt completely overwhelmed by a project that seemed far too big for me. I was pushing myself so hard, being so critical of every little mistake, that I was actually making the work harder. I was being 'strong' in the worst way possible—by being harsh with myself. It wasn't until I decided to approach my tasks with a bit of self-kindness, allowing myself breaks and speaking to myself like a dear friend, that the energy returned to my spirit. The work didn't get easier, but my ability to handle it changed because I stopped fighting myself.

This applies to how we treat others, too. When we see someone struggling, we can choose to meet their difficulty with a firm hand or a soft heart. Choosing kindness doesn't mean we ignore the hardship; it means we acknowledge the struggle while offering a little light. It is about recognizing that even in the middle of a struggle, there is room for grace, for patience, and for a warm smile.

As you move through your day, I want to encourage you to look at the challenges ahead of you. Instead of bracing yourself for a battle, try to see them as opportunities to practice a different kind of courage. Ask yourself, how can I tackle this difficult moment while still being gentle with my soul? You are much more capable than you think, and you are much more beautiful when you allow your kindness to lead the way.