As the years pass, I realize life is less than sublime…I don’t know if all of us believed (at some point in our younger years) that life was peaches and cream or rainbows and unicorns or faloodeh (falooda/faluda) and rasgullas!
Life is big and beautiful, gloriously difficult and fun, looming and tiresome…and from my perspective, so worth the living.
Speaking with someone this morning, I realized I have a wish/prayer for us all this month of love…
May you take as many deep and full breaths as you need.
May you light a candle, on the darkest of nights/days, even if it’s the only light in the moment…focus on the flame as you hum, sing, count or sit mesmerized by all that is illuminated by this smallest of lights.
May you walk in the park, or on a trail in the city, or simply down the sidewalk and bask in the sun.
May you find your way to a body of water if water speaks comfort, healing and joy to your soul…whether that be a pond, lake, swimming pool or the ocean herself.
May the sights and sounds of nature bring delight to you…the birds chirping and flying together (for reasons still unclear to me, seeing the V formation delights my soul!) , the squirrels and bunnies’ sudden movements, the beauty of the trees, the movement made by the wind…
May you be gently reminded of how much you’re valued, wanted…and needed here.
May you hug and hold yourself if no one is present to physically hold you now. The experts say we need eight hugs to survive and twelve to thrive…daily!
May words of affirmation and encouragement rise up through lyrics, verses, cards, comedy, your circle as well as pleasantly surprising and unexpected sources.
May there be moments of wonder and awe and…sheer delight and pure joy.
May dreams be awakened within you…vivid and colorful and carefree…may visions continue to come to you and fuel your HOPE (Heavenly Oxygen Permeating Earth).
May you find grounding techniques helpful.
May you touch five different things…various fabrics, papers, paint or other liquids…and may you fully feel them…the texture, the way it feels on your fingertips, the way it feels to hold…
May you look intently at four things and be comforted…maybe see some things never seen before.
May you listen to three different sounds and be soothed, encouraged, consoled, have creativity spark…maybe close your eyes to concentrate on the sounds.
May you smell two different scents and immerse yourself in the aroma…and where it takes you.
May you taste one sweet or savory item of your choice (or both sweet and salty!) and give yourself the freedom to truly relish it.
May you find comfort and courage and strength in all the above.
May you know that strength is found in letting our tears freely flow down our face…and body, in laughing till our sides hurt, in smiling at strangers as we pass, in sitting in the silence, in doodling, in dancing, in drawing, in yoga, in looking in the mirror and offering love to ourselves even if only through our eyes (words if you choose and of your choosing), in Pilates, in speaking with friends, in sharing with support groups and therapists and in so many more ways than I can even begin to list.
Fortitude to you…to us all, as we navigate what’s new and different and difficult/challenging.
Wisdom to us for/on this journey and always…
Grace upon grace.
Common Day Hero: College, the newness of things, the pain of the past, life in general…for all of it, I dedicate this post to you, Emma R. You are held, always…in the warmest of thoughts and most positive energy and by our ancestors whose strength and resilience flows through your veins, empowering and propelling you forward. Be bold and brave as you are evolving and ever-becoming…a beautiful butterfly.
