We try hard to live this at Hope Inc. Stories. We yearn to spread hope, but deeper than that we want to build community. It’s easy to quote something that brings light in the darkness, even if I don’t believe it in the moment. The hard part comes in being vulnerable with our truth in the hopes of helping someone else know they aren’t alone. This quote from Star reminds me that we all have intense situations that we make it through (one way or another) and the easiest thing we can do for someone else is to share that truth.

It’s tempting to sugarcoat the past so it doesn’t look like we struggle yet it’s the struggles that carry us all forward together. I encourage you to share your past, especially the “dark” stuff, because it may be what keeps someone else moving forward. Star is right – our truth helps others. Next time you hear someone is struggling through someplace you’ve been, open up and share the truth of your story. Pass on the tools or tricks that kept you going and allow your truth to help them hold theirs with courage. Be Star for someone else, make sure they know they aren’t alone and shine into their darkness. Your truth can brighten any moment.

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Arizona Outpatient Support Services Manager at RI International and the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.