Truth can hurt, but that does not mean it is bad. Pain is a sign that something important is happening, and that I am touching reality instead of running from it. The important thing is what I do with that pain. If I turn it into shame and self-attack, it can crush me. But if I stay calm and honest, it can help me see both what I did wrong and what was going on inside me when I did it. What good was I trying to reach for, even in a bad way? Maybe I wanted safety, expression, relief, or care, but I reached for it in a way that hurt someone. That does not excuse the harm, but it helps me stay in truth without falling into despair. This continuous introspection is not only about noticing mistakes. It is also about learning what I am really hungry for, so that I can seek it in a better and freer way. #lent #12steps #step10 View quoted note →