Every one of us has pain. Every single one. And yet, we often avoid it or try and cope, by dishing it out or deflecting it to those around us. Putting on armor. Hardening ourselves. Shielding our hearts from love. Hiding from vulnerability. And swearing we can never be soft again, because that is when more pain comes crashing in. So we hide. Or we stand aggressively. Pushing away the light. And yet ... the soft place is always where the joy washes over us. Taking off the armor is actually where the strength lies. And grows. Acknowledging our pain, accepting it, walking through it, and trusting ourselves to find joy again on the other side ... THIS is the courage. This is the soft place. The reason for living. Where we can give and receive touches of love. Don't give up on that. This is where the magic is. #love #pain #hope #magic #strength #courage #vulnerability #gracefulwarrior #armor #soften