You Don't Have to Relate to It to Learn From It

Not everything I post will be relatable to everyone. And that's okay.

The growth is still there.

Why? Because everything I share comes from something I've lived, experienced, survived, questioned, learned from, or am still working through.

Being silent is part of what got many of us here. Staying quiet about our struggles, frustrations, mistakes, disappointments, and lessons learned doesn't help us heal. It doesn't help us grow. At some point, we have to start climbing out of the hole by being ourselves.

I'll be honest. There have been times when I didn't fully understand someone else's pain because I hadn't experienced it myself. I've done it. And looking back, I realize that was wrong.

Some of us have become so focused on being strong that we've forgotten how to show sympathy, let alone empathy.

Growth isn't just about learning new things. It's about paying attention to the opportunities, lessons, and perspectives we overlook because they aren't wrapped and packaged the way we think they should be.

I learn something new every day. Usually after I've had to check myself first.

I still struggle. Every day.

I still have moments when emotions try to take control. The difference is that I communicate differently than I did yesterday. I've learned how to get my point across in a way that better reflects what I actually mean.

We'll never all think the same. And honestly, we shouldn't.

But if we listened to understand instead of listening through the filter of every negative experience we've ever had, we might discover something powerful.

Both sides can be golden.

But sometimes, when we combine the best of both sides, we create platinum.

You may not always relate to what I'm saying. You may not always agree.

But if you listen, you just might find something useful in the conversation.

💜 What is one lesson you've learned recently after having to check yourself first?