"Everyone is carrying something”

Heading into the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the expectations of joy, warmth, and togetherness.

But for many, this time of year can also bring a heavy weight.

The pressure of financial strain, the challenges of not being able to see loved ones, or the heartache of missing someone can leave us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

In a recent conversation with The Mike Farwell Show on AM570, he shared something that really stuck with me: “everyone is carrying something”.

The weight we carry may look different, feel different, and be carried in different ways, but it’s all heavy in its own right. Perhaps the hardest part is that we can’t always see what others are holding—what may seem light on the outside might be weighing them down in ways we don’t understand.

I think about the image of someone pulling a suitcase down the street. For some, it’s a smooth ride—they roll their bag with ease. But for others, it’s a struggle. They’re dragging a suitcase filled with large, heavy stones. The suitcase might look similar from the outside, but the burden inside is far different.

In life, we can’t see the stones, and yet, they’re real.

Remember, just because someone’s struggle doesn’t look heavy to you, doesn’t mean it’s not for them.

Too often, we carry our struggles in silence, afraid that sharing them might burden others. (Something I have historically struggled with)

But sometimes, just saying it out loud, just giving voice to what we’re carrying, can make it feel a little lighter.

This holiday season, let’s be gentle with ourselves and each other. We don’t always know what someone is going through, but we can offer understanding, a listening ear, or even just a moment of kindness.

What are you carrying?

It's okay to feel it, to share it, and to let it be heard.

-Ben