Tool box - The cloth

Life has a way of teaching us profound lessons, often through the experiences that leave us feeling broken, lost, and unsure. But it's in these very moments we can find our greatest strength.

I’ve shared with you the milestones that have shaped who I am today. The most important lesson I’ve learned—though painful—was about the cloth. A symbol of care, of compassion, and of the selfless love we give to others. But over time, I learned that the cloth needs to be woven not just for others, but for ourselves as well.

From a young age, I felt an innate need to return love and kindness to the world. I learned compassion, empathy, and forgiveness as a child, and those traits have guided me ever since. But the true power in these virtues comes not in giving endlessly, but in giving with balance—setting boundaries, and knowing when to protect our own heart.

After a difficult marriage, I set out to prove to myself that I could stand alone, that I could live a life of purpose, love, and giving back. I immersed myself in a life of service, building a foundation of generosity for my children and those around me. I deeply believed in the idea that what you give is what you receive—but over time, I learned that this can only happen when we also nurture ourselves.

Then, life gave me another opportunity, by chance, through a simple conversation at a gas station. It sparked something inside me—a desire to connect, to open myself to new possibilities. I took a chance, leaving a business card behind, and within a short amount of time, we were on a date. It felt like destiny, like everything was falling into place.

But as time passed, I realized something that I hadn’t seen before. No matter how much love we give, it cannot always heal the brokenness in another. I gave everything—my energy, my time, my heart. I ignored my own needs, my own healing, in hopes of helping someone else heal. I thought love could fix it all. But sometimes, love can’t fix someone else’s internal battles. Sometimes, no matter how much we try, we can’t save someone from themselves.

The truth that shattered me was that my efforts were in vain. It wasn’t until I almost lost my own life that I realized I needed to walk away. I had to return to myself, to my own peace, and to the knowledge that I am the only one responsible for my happiness.

In the aftermath, I learned a painful truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. If we are not ready to heal, to grow, and to complete the journey within ourselves, how can we help others on theirs?

So, take a moment. Look inward. Find the broken pieces of yourself, and begin to heal. Don’t wait for someone else to fix you. You are worthy of your own love and compassion. Only when we take care of ourselves can we truly be the best version of who we were meant to be—strong, whole, and capable of giving love without losing ourselves.

In the end, the cloth is not only for others. It is for you too. Protect your own heart. Heal your own wounds. And remember: You are enough, exactly as you are.

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