Dear Niwokael

Niwokael,
You matter, you know. I know it doesn't always feel like it, I know it's not always easy to remember – or even believe – but it's always the truth and running from that truth doesn't make it any less of one.
I know it's easier trying to run around and make everyone else happy instead, running yourself ragged in the process, but your needs are important, and your wants hold just as much value as everyone else's. More, if you ask me, since you're such a caring individual that so many of those wants revolve around other people too. You just see others hurting and you want to fix it. You see people unhappy and decide you need to do something about it, even at the expense of yourself.
But the universe isn't your responsibility to fix, just as it isn't mine, or anyone else's. The universe just... is. I'm not saying it isn't worth trying sometimes – we can definitely make a difference, given the right circumstances. I'm just saying you can choose your battles. You don't have to send your fleets for every cause you believe in, or every hope you wish to fulfill.
In fact, you shouldn't, Niwokael. The universe is infinite but your resources are finite. Choosing to step away is not a sign of weakness, it's intelligent strategy. And choosing to withdraw from a battle in progress, even a battle you started, doesn't make you weak. It shows you are strong. Intelligent. Quick on your feet. Willing to reevaluate based on new information.
And sometimes... Sometimes the things we need to step away from are things that are important to us. This takes the greatest strength of all, admitting that this battle isn't meant to be won today, and moving on while you still have pieces you can pick up. It's hard. Admitting we were wrong, or that we don't have the resources we needed, or just plain conceding that regardless of how much effort we put forward it is not our strength and conviction that will make a difference. Change needs to come from within, and if they're not ready, nothing we do from the outside will matter.
That doesn't make it easy. And that doesn't mean we can't mourn, or even that we shouldn't. Our emotions are an important part of who we are, and just as valid a judge of our character as our choices. This also doesn't mean we shouldn't try anyway, when the outcome is important to us. By all means, put in the energy you need to be able to hold your head high afterward and say you did what you could to help.
And then let go of the outcome, and redirect those energies to other things. Battles where you can make a difference. If you spend all your energies on the losing ones you'll never win any, and if you spend it all on the battles of others you'll never have energy for yourself, or the ones that truly matter to you.
Manage your resources. Your health matters – physically, emotionally, mentally. If you're neglecting any of these you're in no shape to help others with their own battles, and any attempts to try will be less than your best. If you're taking care of yourself your efforts to care for others will be more effective, and if you value your own health then taking the time for others becomes a gift of a valuable treasure, not a burden given due to a sense of obligation. Looking after yourself isn't selfishness, it's efficiency.
All we can truly change is ourselves, after all. Everyone else, it relies on their willingness to respond to your gift of yourself. Sometimes we can be the light that guides the way for a thousand generations... Or the spark that burns it all to the ground, because we were too stubborn to step away when we needed to look out for ourselves instead, and we lost not only that encounter but the wars we could have won if we'd been more selective with our resources.
You matter to me. If I could give you one gift, it would be for you to matter to yourself. Because you, Niwokael, are the greatest gift you could ever give the universe. Please treasure that gift. You're the only you we'll ever get, and you deserve to shine.
Eternally yours,
Jake
Navarch, Mordena Public Relations