No More Hiding: Learning to Feel Fully

Dear reader,

This morning, After going over what they have been talking about at church —and about how I've been living. I've always thought that strength meant holding everything inside, keeping a perfect smile, never letting anyone see me struggle. But what if that's not strength at all? What if it's actually a form of self-imprisonment?

I'm tired of bottling up my emotions. Every time I'm frustrated, angry, or hurt, I press it down deep inside, thinking I'm being noble or mature. But the truth is, I'm just creating an internal pressure cooker. These suppressed feelings don't disappear—they just simmer, growing more intense with time.

I want a different way of living. I want to be honest—with myself and with others. My emotions aren't something to be ashamed of or hidden away. They're signals, messages from my inner self about what I'm experiencing, what I need, what matters to me.

This doesn't mean I'll become an emotional hurricane, exploding at every slight. Instead, I want to learn how to feel deeply and express myself thoughtfully. I want to create space for my true feelings—to understand them, to honor them, to let them move through me instead of getting stuck.

My strength isn't about how well I can hide my struggles. My strength is in my ability to be vulnerable, to say "This is hard" or "I'm hurting" or "I need help." It's about having the courage to be seen—fully, authentically, imperfectly human.

I'm done with the exhausting work of constant emotional suppression. From now on, I choose expression. I choose to listen to my feelings, to understand them, to let them breathe. This isn't weakness—this is true, profound strength.

This is my journey now. Learning to be real. Learning to be free.

Until tomorrow

Chaplain Mark