Spark

There are days

when you wake up

tired before the morning

even begins.

*

You stare at the ceiling,

and it feels like

the world is already

ahead of you,

like everyone else

is running, and you

can’t even find your shoes.

*

You tell yourself

it’s just another day,

but it’s not just another day.

*

It’s this day.

*

Maybe your heart

feels heavy.

Maybe it’s cracked from

too many yesterdays

that didn’t go the way

you hoped.

Maybe you’ve forgotten

what hope even

feels like.

*

But you’re still here.

And that means something.

*

You’ve lived through things

you thought would destroy you.

*

You’ve had nights

where the silence was

too loud,

where your own thoughts

were too sharp,

and yet,

you woke up.

*

That’s strength,

even if no one saw it.

*

That’s courage,

even if you don’t think so.

*

Sometimes,

all you need

is a spark;

just the tiniest flicker

that whispers,

“Keep going.”

*

It could be a stranger’s smile.

A song you forgot you loved.

A memory that reminds you

you were once happy,

and could be again.

It could be the moment you laugh

when you didn’t think you could.

Or the moment you cry

and finally let something go.

*

It’s there,

that spark.

It’s quiet,

but it’s real.

*

And it belongs to you.

*

You don’t have to be perfect.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

*

You just have to take one breath,

and then another.

*

You just have to care enough

to keep trying.

*

Because every person you’ve ever admired,

every soul that’s ever shined,

they started where you are;

unsure, afraid, human.

*

The difference

wasn’t in their talent,

or luck,

or timing.

*

It was that they didn’t stop.

*

They found that spark,

held it close,

and built a life around its warmth.

*

So, don’t give up.

*

Not today.

Not tomorrow.

*

You are still becoming.

You are still unfolding.

And the world still needs

the quiet light

that only you can bring.

*

Even if all you can do today

is whisper to yourself:

I’m still here.

*

That’s enough.

That’s everything.

That’s the spark.