We all know of pain. We all know of hurt. We’ve all been through a moment, no matter how infinitesimal it may have been in reality, which felt like it lasted for a short eternity.
We all experience sorrow – each one unique and different, no two people ever experiencing the exact same anguish, and yet, we all experience it.
It can be the sorrow of loss, or even the sorrow of heartache, alienation, desperation, helplessness and so much more – each hit takes its toll.
“You’ll be ok”, “Just give it time”, “things will get better”. These are all such wonderful sentiments, however, without empathy, the sympathy cannot drive through to hit the core of the targeted pain.
You have the right to be upset. You have the right to cry.
As ‘weak’ as it may seem to some, doing so does not make one weak. It just means that you’ve had to be too strong for too long.
If you keep it all bottled in, all the anguish accumulates to create a destructive force that can inevitably explode in the most harmful of ways.
Cry… you’re allowed.
After you’ve cried – till you can barely breath and your lungs sting – rise.
No matter how slowly you do so, my friends, rise.
Sometimes the bitter yet sharp taste of pain is what gives our will the push it needs to keep going when we feel like there’s no reason to do so.
I’ve had the honour of receiving such heartfelt messages from many of the beautiful visitors and guests to my blog and Facebook pages, and I’ve been touched by the level of trust that’s been placed in my hands in regard to their stories.
To each and every one, I truly wish I could click my fingers and make the pain go away, but… in a way… that would be my own selfish wish.
Your path requires for you to go through what you are so that you may rise stronger than before.
No, not everyone rises from pain quickly, or sometimes… even at all. However, each moment and experience that has left its mark in your path has been there to mould you in some way or another.
A warrior is not one who never feels afraid or never feels pain. A warrior is someone who, when struck by calamity, will absorb the shock, slowly turn that painful energy into something self-progressive, and then rebound in an evolved state of mind and will.
The happy moments are the ones that allow us to smile and enjoy life, but it’s the painful ones that usually make us stronger. They act as a reminder to what our main priorities are in life, especially when we stray from them.
We live in a society and world where there will always be something picked upon, no matter how hard everyone tries.
For example, I completely understand what it feels like to live in a place that is ‘home’ to me, and yet I still find myself having to defend my very identity because there will always be some who refuse to accept it.
My right to exist is actually a problem in the eyes of some, however, it’s my right… and I will fight for who I am and what I am (as long as it does no harm to others, of course!)
With the pain though, comes a renewed sense of self and will – my constant reminder of who I am wouldn’t be as prominent had it not been for those pains.
It’s a bittersweet reality of the rollercoaster that we call ‘emotions’.
For those going through pain, sorrow, injustice, hurt, loss, desperation, separation, oppression, helplessness, anguish, heartache and loss…It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to say you’ve had enough.
Really… it’s ok.
As much as I want to sit here and say “I know things will be fine! You’ll be ok! You’re strong! Hang in there…” as I optimistically always hope for a better tomorrow for all – instead, I sit with you.
In the deafening silence of cruel reality and anguish… I sit by your side.
It’s ok to cry… but I know we’ll rise again too.
We are queens. We are kings. We are warriors. However, we are also human.
The game of life isn’t up yet, so we can’t give in now.
… It’s ok to cry.
(Photography by the wonderful Fiona Brims.
More from this shoot can be found here: Bridge Photo Shoot – Facebook )
Naziyah Mahmood 