Humanity’s Trigger Words

I think I’ve found two phrases that trigger pain in everyone–

“Too much,” and “Not enough.”

I’m scared of being too much for you but also not enough.

And scared that I find life too fascinating but what if I’m not fascinated by it enough?

What if I love you too deeply? But what if I don’t love you enough?

Can I find rest while circling the drain or would it be good to give up?

“Don’t show too much skin.”

“You’re not showing enough.”

What if I’m talking to him too often?

What if I’m not talking enough?

“You eat too much.”

“You don’t eat enough.”

“Make more money.”

“You make too much.”

Can I be honest for a minute?

I’ve had too much of “not enough” and not enough of getting to be “too much.”

And I think you have too.

I’ve never met a shy person who didn’t have a wild side or a wild person who didn’t sometimes wish they could bury themselves inside.

When you think about the people who’ve made you feel the most like you it’s because with them you were safe to pour your heart out for hours then make crazy weird voices and choices too.

Because in this world where everyone ultimately wants to be deeply known, we find ourselves with a craving to make other people our home

And if home is the place where your truest heart lives that means it’s full of both the excess and the wanting that fill us each to the brim.

And if we are so both, so grandiose and yet so small, we ought to embrace both sides instead of trying to diminish them all.

Let yourself be in silence, listen, be still, be quiet.

Accept the part of you that wants to rest and don’t deny it.

Show up to the party without feeling like you have to be a star.

Be content to observe sometimes, knowing you like who you are.

Let yourself be extraordinarily big, sing, speak up, be loud.

Accept the part of you that wants to reveal yourself and be proud.

Show up to the party with great stories and take over the dance floor.

Be the one who shows others it’s okay to own your space when you walk through the door.

You’re not “too much” you’re not “not enough.”

you

are

JUST

right.

And sometimes you look different as the days and moments change.

Some days you have more energy,

on those days you talk a lot.

Some days you have something to give to me,

other days you do not.

But just because you have different moods and modes doesn’t mean your value will shift or let go.

That means you’re a human who fears that someday everyone else will find out the thing we all already know—

that part of you is “too much” and other parts are “not enough.”

When the truth is we’re all riding the exact same bus.

So instead of stretching our wide arms around our own bodies to hold ourselves together

Maybe we should use them to cheer for and hug the person next to us who braves the same weather.

I’ll be the too much to your not enough and you’ll be mine. Together.