Life isn’t always clear-cut. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing everything through the lens of either/or. Either I succeed or I fail. Either this is good or it’s bad. Either I’m strong or I’m struggling. But the truth is, most of life unfolds in the in-between, the messy, beautiful, uncertain space where both things can be true at once.
In my own life, and in the work I get to do supporting others as they create lives they love, I’ve seen how powerful it is to hold space for more than one truth at a time. When you’re in a hard season or navigating uncertainty, it can feel like you’re boxed into a corner. But what if you widened the frame? What if you looked for the and instead of the or?
When something feels overwhelmingly hard, like grief, fear, or frustration, it doesn’t cancel out the moments of grace, courage, or opportunity that may also be present. This isn’t about pretending everything is okay when it’s not. It’s about recognizing that life is complex and that two seemingly opposing things can be true simultaneously.
Moving forward, I invite you to feel supported by the power of ‘and’ by:
Allowing more than one truth to exist at once.
You can be heartbroken, healing, confused, courageous, uncertain, and still take the next step.
Using gentle language with yourself.
Instead of labeling something good or bad, try saying, “This is hard and I’m doing my best.” Compassionate words can open up space for resilience to grow.
Being curious about the discomfort.
When everything feels like falling apart, ask yourself, “What else might be happening here?” This small question can shift your mindset from stuck to open.
Choose both strength and softness.
You don’t have to pick one. You can set boundaries and still be kind. You can lead with hope and still feel your fears. There’s power in embracing both.
Life will always offer challenges, and sometimes, those challenges feel overwhelming. But when we shift our perspective from either/or to both/and, we allow ourselves more room to breathe, feel, and grow. We don’t erase the pain, we expand the truth to include hope, possibility, and resilience. You are more than just one feeling or one moment. You are a living, evolving story, and it is what gives it depth and meaning. I’m here to walk alongside you if you ever need a reminder.
Affirmation:
I can hold more than one truth.
Words to Love By:
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. – Leonard Cohen
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. – F. Scott Fitzgerald
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. – Maya Angelou
Sounds for Your Soul:
