We tether ourselves to other people without ever knowing if they’ll cut the cord or remain connected to us. We never know who will save us or who will wreck us. There’s beauty in the uncertainty, like not knowing the end of a good book. There’s also pain awaiting us in every chapter.

Just like a boat tethered to a dock, I tethered to you, when I was young and full of dreams. Through the years I’ve changed and I’ve grown up. Just like a boat, I’ve had to weather many storms. Some storms leave an aftermath that is a permanent imprint.

We choose the people we want to be part of our story, and sometimes, like magic, they find us and choose us. Some souls connect with ours instantly and we find safety in them. We crave those souls when the tears fall and the days become too much. Those souls can be friends, crushes, lovers, partners.

When we are forced to face reality and the challenges of life, we look to those we are tethered to for reassurance and comfort. Sometimes, we need to face the darkness alone though. We need to ride the waves and wait for the stillness. There’s no way of ever truly knowing. We never know who will surprise us, who will refuse to let go, or who will become a stranger.

Maybe, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that we need to tether ourselves to more than other souls. We need to tether to peace, happiness, and inspiration. Then, it’s okay if the souls we love wreck us and wound us. We will still be tethered and anchored to something strong and unwavering. Peace, happiness, and inspiration are always within us, even during the toughest chapters. We always have the option to dig deep and find the joy and the comfort again, even after heartache, even after the tether breaks.