image by Eric

1. Truth: I am more able than I give myself credit for. I am a harsh critic, spending way too much time fussing over the weak spots, the things not done, the mistakes, and forgetting to notice the wins. I rush right past my good effort without celebration, without joy. I think “I can’t” without even giving myself a chance to try.

2. Truth: Today I’m diving in. I can’t quite explain why but I’m feeling a weird sort of mania — saying yes, signing up, making reservations. Maybe it has something to do with spending the morning home alone taking care of lingering tasks. Maybe I’ve cleared the space necessary for what’s next.

3. Truth: I have something to offer. Knowing that, it’s important not to sit on it, hide it, avoid it, keep it to myself. Holding it in is only generating suffering for me, and possibly keeping something from someone who really needs it.

One wish: May we recognize the brilliant light of our true nature, and may love give us the courage to show up and keep our hearts open.

1. This summer is going too fast. And it took me so much longer this year to settle in — I was sick, my CSU situation was not working, and I was so depressed. It took some real effort to work with all that, and now that I’m finally sinking into summer, slowing down, savoring it, it’s already almost July!

2. I’m leaving for Oregon on Friday. I always feel such anxiety planning for a trip. I don’t know what to pack, I obsess about what I’ll eat, I’m anxious that I’ll forget something important like a prescription or my bag will get lost or the rental car will break down. I worry about what might happen while I’m gone. I’m not very good at traveling. I’m not very good at leaving the house.

3. I’m working hard at being okay with accomplishing less. I’ve been pushing myself so hard the last few years. That would be okay if I’d been enjoying it more, but instead I can sometimes feel depleted, sad, dissatisfied. As an antidote, I’m lowering the bar and being gentle with myself, continuing with what seems like the work of my life — self-compassion, not smashing myself to bits.

One wish: May we all slow down, sink into this season, and savor it, and may we do so in the company of love.