Anna Sale, W. Kamau Bell, writer Vicki Larson, Dr. Bonnie Chen, and I performed on stage at KQED live last week. If you don’t know about Death, Sex & Money it’s where Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation. It’s really good.
Here is a link to the podcast. Below is the meditation of comforting thoughts that are helping me get through each day. Anna Sale also has a substack here.
Today we are committing to holding on when the adrenaline fades and you are tired and things just feel hard. These are statements for those moments
Let’s begin by closing our eyes, and taking a deep breath in, holding it, and exhaling, long and true.
May we remember that we can choose and alter the stories we tell ourselves. We can change outdated stories that no longer serve us. We have agency on how we feel.
May we honor our resilience. We have been through a lot. Resilience doesn't mean that we never have to take breaks, but just that we are still here, in whatever state we are in. And that is something to be celebrated.
May there be things to look forward to for all of us. We are committing to finding joy, and seeking pleasure, for action is impossible without hope.
May we be open.
May we know when there is actual danger and when our stress responses are just outdated signals telling us stories that we no longer need to stay alive.
May we have faith that we did the best we could with the information we had at the time.
May we be grateful for what is, with the knowledge that nothing is certain and everything is in transition.
May we assume good intentions of ourselves and others. We commit to taking responsibility for the things we have done with the knowledge that we can do bad things and still be worthy of love.
May we take comfort in the fact that we are all alive. Alivesness brings possibility. The insanity that out of all the moments that have ever been that we are here together is mindboggling and frankly weird. With this, we have a certain awe and obligation. This wonderment, this specialness, We commit to keep going. We don’t know what the future will be, or how we will feel, but we owe it to that person, our future selves, to find out.
What would you add to this list?
Sending the hope that whatever it is that you need right now, finds you, safe and well.
Love, Carissa
Dang, Carissa! This list and this performance are so fantastic!! Thank you thank you ♥️🙌🏻♥️
May we get in touch with our inner person, validate and be kind to "it". Just as we would do with a dear friend.