When ‘I’m Not Okay’ is the First Step to Healing

He looked at me with concern and asked, "How are you doing? Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath and replied, "No, I'm not okay."

In that moment, I realized how rare it is to find someone to whom I can honestly say, "I'm not okay. I'm overwhelmed with sadness and pain," and have them truly listen.

I began to pour out my heart, and he listened with such patience and understanding. He gently wiped away the small tear that had escaped from the corner of my eye. His gaze was so intense, it felt as though he wanted to merge his soul with mine, to share my burden.

He softly said, "I understand, it's really hard."

Those simple words, that compassionate look, and his attentive ear were more healing than any medicine. His empathy seeped into my being, took root in my mind, and its branches reached my heart. I felt like an iceberg in a frigid, biting wind, and his warmth began to melt away the ice, revealing the beauty hidden beneath.

My pain and suffering hadn't vanished; they still lingered, watching me from the depths of my heart and soul. But the first step towards healing was that heartfelt "I understand, it's really hard." It was as if, in a world of 8 billion people, someone had unlocked the door to my heart, understood my pain and suffering, saw the torment I was enduring, and truly grasped how difficult it was. And that was enough for me. I was no longer alone. I had someone who shared my pain. I had a companion who understood my suffering. I felt stronger. I had the strength to fight, to heal, to accept, to move forward. It didn't matter what challenges lay ahead; I had the strength to face them.

Thank you for allowing me to say, "No, I'm not okay," when you ask how I am.