The Strength Of Not Turning Away

There is a moment when difficulty appears,

And the impulse is to turn away,

To distract,

To minimize,

To move past it quickly.

This response is understandable,

It protected you once,

But it also interrupts contact.

This practice is about staying.

Notice the urge to turn away,

Not to resist it,

Just to recognize it.

Staying does not mean intensifying,

It does not mean forcing yourself to feel more.

It means remaining present,

Without escape.

And you don't turn away,

Experience moves.

Emotion completes,

Energy releases.

Nothing needs to be pushed,

Nothing needs to be solved.

This kind of strength is quiet,

It doesn't announce itself.

It lives in moments of presence,

Without avoidance.

Some days this will feel steady,

Other days,

Barely noticeable.

Those are expressions of resilience.

As you move forward,

Remember this.

You don't need to turn away,

To stay safe.

Staying,

Chimpering,

Is a form of strength.