Last night I realized that loving the wrong person is the easiest way to kill your self-esteem and so I decided to walk away from the person that sparked this realization. And i realized something else. I realized, that sometimes walking away has nothing to do with weakness, but everything to do with strength. We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own.
so let me say this:
To everybody who has loved someone who didn’t deserve them, I salute you for your very act of loving. For having the strength to love the people who can’t love you the way you deserve to be loved. I salute you because even when it hurts like nothing else, you still choose to stay. I salute you for you believing in these people and the the idea that people can change. That maybe one day, they would realize just how important you are. That one morning, they will see all your efforts and appreciate them.
That a time will come when they will take into consideration all the emotions you invested in them. The battles you fought for them. That one special moment, they would simply decide to reciprocate the love you deserve. I salute you for giving so much more than what you are receiving. I salute you, because despite all the hurt and hardship you managed to survive. I salute you because no matter how wounded your soul is, no matter how damaged your heart is, you always choose love. You always choose to learn, forgive and move forward. You still choose to accept the pain, overcome it and let go.
I salute you because after all, love is never easy. Love can be scary. Love can be torture. Love can be distasteful. But still you choose to see love for all its fascinating attributes. You still choose to love, and not just love the easy people, or the people who can give you the world. You didn’t love the right people, you loved all the wrong ones and that reflects nothing but total absolut bravery.
photography by nima elm and me.
