And it’s going to cost you.

I want to have different words for you today. Words that comfort. Words that heal. Words that mend. Words that feel like a big hug. 

I just can’t get there. As I’ve written and deleted, written and deleted, written and deleted, I keep coming back to loving you with hard truths.

Truths that will comfort because they aren’t candy floss.

Truths that will heal because they don’t hide.

Truths that will mend because they prepare you.

Change always requires sacrifice.

The sacrifices may be smaller, like learning to listen before you talk.

The sacrifices may be greater, like changing your way of life to help others.

Change always requires sacrifice.

The sacrifices may sting a bit, like hearing you hurt someone else.

The sacrifices may really hurt, like losing unhealthy relationships.

Change always requires sacrifice.

The sacrifices will be effort, like finding new sources that are beyond your circle.

The sacrifices will be work, like unlearning what you thought was settled.

“The sacrifices that really matter, that really hurt, affect us and force us to overcome ourselves.” — Carl Jung

And we move from ourselves, to our community, to our systems to create lasting change.

OH! But, friend. Here’s what I know for sure. It’s worth it.

There is such hope in this work! The freedom, effectiveness, and peace in your life don’t come free, but they do come. And you’ll look back and think, how did I live that way before?