I thought that gratitude feels like a fresh breeze of thankfulness for having a roof above my head,
This season taught me that gratitude includes the accepting of every imperfect part of myself.

I thought that courage looks like a gathering of all my strength before stepping into an unknown place,
This summer taught me that courage is actually going there unprepared, ready to find that strength along the way.

I thought that empathy tastes like a bread given to a homeless man,
This September taught me that empathy is also listening to someone else’s story patiently, while sitting in the room full of emotions with them.

Patrícia Palajová