Sometimes, it begins with something as small as a cup of coffee.

 The warmth in your hands.

 The silence of the morning.

 The moment before the world rushes in.

I remember days when even holding a cup felt like a challenge. After my stroke, I had to relearn everything — not just walking or talking, but believing. Believing that I could still rebuild a life that felt whole. That I could rise, despite how far I had fallen.

Recovery isn't linear. Some days I felt strong, other days broken. But deep down, there was always this quiet voice — the same one I now recognize as my younger self — reminding me, “As long as you believe in yourself and believe in your strength, you will always find a way.”

That belief didn’t come overnight. It came in fragments.

 In scribbles on paper when I had no words.

 In tears I didn’t hide.

 In small wins that felt like mountains — tying my shoes, forming a full sentence, making someone laugh again.

Each day, I chose to believe just a little more. I chose to trust that my story wasn’t over, even when the pages felt empty. And in that belief, I found a power greater than anything I had known before.

To anyone reading this who feels like they’re barely holding on — I see you. I’ve been there. Maybe you're holding a cup of coffee too, wondering how you'll make it through the day. Let this be your reminder: you are stronger than you know. And that strength? It’s already inside you.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to take the next step.

 Believe in your resilience.

 Believe in your worth.

 Believe that you are enough — even in the quiet, even in the chaos.

Because you are.

And as long as you believe,

you will always find a way.