Linarra,

Yes it’s hard to read about all the suffering but it’s amazing that one man captured it so intellectually and then powerfully pleaded humanity’s compassion and resilience through finding meaning in their lives. I look to Viktor Frankl as a great example because mental illness can be torment as well. Sometimes physical torment (eating disorders, self harm etc). I think a lot of people give up because they are overcome by their mental health issues. As I said before, it creates a “tunnel vision” where you only see the negative.

Sometimes, you just have to give yourself PERMISSION to be happy. I discovered recently that I needed validation and a reason to be happy. This is backwards. You need to let yourself be happy. I think happiness is a thing we can choose as well.

What happened to me to have this realization- a friend of mine who passed away, well her favorite number was 222. I believe in signs sometimes so when I see 222 it’s like a little hello or nudge that I’m in the right direction. Anyways, I was feeling down and then my friend messaged me at exactly 2:22am (this and many other 222 signs happen to me a lot). I asked him if  he did that on purpose because he knows what that means to me lol I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t realize he did that. Anyways, that 222 made me think “Oh. I can allow myself to be happy now. Everything’s going to be okay.”

I then turned on happiness like a switch, a power that I never knew I had.

What are some things holding you back from joy and happiness?

What if you just decided to let go and surrender?

Try a day of that Or if not, an hour. I’ll challenge you to try it. I was like “oh okay I am giving myself permission to be happy” and that literally changed my life. I never knew it could be that simple, that I am the one holding myself back.

What if you had a friend on the internet say a girl named Sarah who moderates the Tiny Buddha forum also tell YOU that “Everything’s going to be fine. You have permission to be happy.” (This person is me hint hint lol)

Would you believe it?

What if you just need to let it happen?

Your fears are valid. Your pain is valid. But so are the things that bring you joy.

Finding yourself is part of that. You said your “self” has been hidden and that being selfish is hard. Well happiness is a selfish endeavor and a worthwhile one at that!

I love what you write about. We have a lot in common with how we analyze character development and world building. I am excited for your projects and for you to find purpose in them. I explore a lot of wisdom in my writing so as to help others. But I am learning to be selfish now and find myself too.

We are all in this journey together. No one truly has it all figured out. Finding yourself is a lifelong process but you can grow to be your own best friend.

I believe in you and know you are on your way to figuring out what it all means, this life- to you that is. It means something different for everyone. I can’t give you a magical 222 sign from the universe, but I can say that you have what it takes so keep going. 🙂

Sarah