Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is soften. To let go of the armor that you have clung to for so long, to stop hiding the depths of who you are for fear of being truly seen. To stop adding to the fire of an argument and be the cooling water. To be kind when no one else is. To care deeply about yourself, others, this life, this earth. To be soft when the world tries its best to harden you. Strength is not always found in the pushing and struggling. It is not only found in a great big rock but in the gentle stream, too. It's in the gentle and persistent movement. It is in allowing yourself to feel, to break open, to be vulnerable in the face of what hurts. It is allowing life to touch you. It is feeling the full range of what we are meant to feel- deep joy, great sadness, wonderful peace. To soften is not weakness; it is tender strength. It is letting life touch you and open you.