Speak It Out

I asked how he’s doing,
He told me he was doing just fine
I didn’t believe him
Because I know the society demands strong from a man
And when he shares what he’s going through, he’ll be labeled weak
So he told me, “I am doing just fine”

I could hear the pain in his voice
The cracks beneath the surface
His words a mask for the turmoil within
He was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders
But society told him to keep it all in
To put on a brave face and soldier on
So he smiled and said, “I’m fine”

But I knew the truth
I could see it in his eyes
The way they searched mine for understanding
The way his hands trembled as he spoke
He was drowning in his own silent suffering
Too afraid to let anyone in
Too ashamed to admit he needed help

I wish he knew that it’s okay to not be okay
That strength isn’t measured by how much you can endure alone
That vulnerability is not weakness, but courage
I wish he knew that his pain mattered
That his struggles were valid
That he didn’t have to carry them all on his own

I wish he knew that he didn’t have to end it all
That there were people who cared
Who would listen without judgment
Who would hold him close and help him find his way back to the light
I wish he knew that there is always hope
Even in the darkest of nights
Even when all seems lost

So I told him, “It’s okay to not be fine”
It’s okay to break down and let it all out
To cry until there are no more tears left to shed
To scream until your voice is hoarse
To reach out and ask for help
To let others in and share your burden

Because you are not alone
You are loved, you are worthy
And your pain is not a sign of weakness
But a story to your humanity
So take my hand and let me walk beside you
Let me help you shoulder the weight
Let me be your light in the darkness

You are not alone, my friend
You are never alone
And together, we will find our way back to the sunlit meadows
Where the flowers bloom and the birds sing
Where hope springs eternal and love knows no bounds
So take my hand and let us journey together
For in our togetherness, we find strength
And in our vulnerability, we find courage

So speak it out
Don’t care what the society will think of you
Don’t be ashamed
Scream if you feel it’s best
Speak when you are at the lowest
Cry when you feel that pain
It’s worth it.

Let’s break the silence
Let’s shatter the stigma
Let’s create a world where it’s okay to not be okay
Where vulnerability is embraced
And compassion reigns supreme
Let’s build a community of love and understanding
Where everyone feels safe to share their truth
And no one ever has to suffer in silence again.

Together, we can make a difference
Together, we can change the world
Starting with one voice, one heart, one soul
Reaching out in love and empathy
To lift each other up and stand together in our brokenness
For in our brokenness, we find strength
And in our unity, we find healing

So let us be the change we wish to see
Let us be the light in the darkness
Let us be the hope in the despair
For together, we are stronger
Together, we are invincible
Together, we are love personified

And in that love, we find our salvation
In that love, we find our redemption
In that love, we find our peace
So let us choose love
Let us choose compassion
Let us choose to be there for one another
No matter what

For in the end, love is all that really matters
Love is the answer to all our questions
Love is the key to our salvation
So let us love each other
Let us be there for each other
Let us hold each other close
And never let go

For love is the greatest gift we can give
To ourselves and to each other
So let’s spread love like wildfire
And watch as it burns away the darkness
And lights up the world with its brilliance
For love conquers all
And in love, we shall find our peace.

@okelododdychitchats