I Am Truly Loved

Sometimes a quiet feeling shows up.

It can come when you are very young.
Or later.
Even when everything looks fine.

The feeling says:

“I am not really loved.”

You might still be smiled at.
You might still be hugged.
People might still be kind to you.

But inside, you feel unsure.

You may wonder if love stays.
If it goes away when you make a mistake.
If it changes when you are tired.
If it stops when you are quiet.

So you might try to be good.
Or helpful.
Or easy to be around.

You might laugh when you don’t feel like it.
Or stay strong when you feel weak.
Or keep going so no one leaves.

This can make you feel tight inside.
Like you have to be careful.
Like you cannot fully relax.

But there is something gentle and true here.

Love does not need you to try.
Love does not leave when you rest.
Love does not disappear when you are quiet.

You do not need to be a certain way
to be loved.

You do not need to stay bright.
You do not need to stay useful.
You do not need to stay strong.

Even now, as you are reading this,
nothing is being asked of you.

You are allowed to be calm.
You are allowed to be peaceful.
You are allowed to be just as you are.

And right here, in this moment,

you are truly loved.