Know Me; A Spoken Word about Resilience

I don’t want to be known for resilience,

For weathering the storm and carrying on,

For pushing through the pain and the darkness,

For being strong when everything goes wrong.

I don’t want to be defined by my struggles,

By the battles I’ve fought and the scars I bear,

By the obstacles I’ve overcome and the challenges I’ve faced,

By the strength I’ve shown in moments of despair.

I want to be known for my vulnerability,

For the courage it takes to admit my fear,

For the honesty it takes to show my weakness,

For the openness it takes to shed a tear.

I want to be defined by my compassion,

By the kindness I show to those in need,

By the love I give to those who are hurting,

By the hope I offer to those who plead.

I don’t want to be known for resilience,

For the walls I build to protect my heart,

For the stoicism I wear as a shield,

For the strength I display when I fall apart.

I want to be known for my humanity,

For the depth of my emotion and the breadth of my soul,

For the beauty of my imperfection,

For the way I make others feel whole.

So let me be vulnerable and authentic,

Let me show my flaws and admit my pain,

Let me offer love and compassion,

And let that be what defines my name.