Listen now.
Come a little closer.
I’m here. You’re here.
We survived it and I’m so proud of you for holding on. It’s not easy when life is waterboarding you.
It’s not fair. Sometimes we are climbing a mountain that only grows steeper. Halfway through you forget what the point was again. Was it to reach the top? To find a mountain flower for someone? Not die?
This is where we stop. Wedge yourself in a spot on the mountainside and wait a moment. What are we doing here? What goals have we set?
Let’s reel it back.
One goal: Get out of bed.
Two goal: Eat something.
That’s good. You’re doing well.
Let’s try again tomorrow.
I know sometimes we aim higher, but we need to fix this shaking foundation of a human being.
You’re tired. I’m tired. We’re tired.
Let’s take a breath, lets lean against the wall and consider a moment.
Do we have things to care for? A pet? A family member? A child?
If we’re going to look after them, we need energy. We need strength.
Eat, my friend. Drink, my friend. Make yourself a foundation they can rest on. But we need to fix some holes.
That’s okay.
We are all broken. The more we fix it the more we understand why it broke. Why we were climbing to begin with.
You are enough. Change does not mean you were not worthy. It means we are equipping you with swords and shields. It means we see gold and wish to see it sparkle. You are enough. You and your personality, your face, your body, your interests. Your abilities.
What can you do? What brings you joy? Let’s build that.
Is there time? You will have to make time. Carve it out of this mountainside. Paint, write, draw, sing, laugh, play, run.
Eat. Drink. Sleep.
Can you bring someone with you while you carve out that time? Is there someone who likes it too? Is there a group of people you could join?
A Book Club? An art space? A dog park?
Yes? Great! Lets do that!
Eat. Drink. Sleep.
Let’s go for a walk. What can you see? Can you go through the rainbow and find me seven things of seven different colours? Red flowers. Orange jacket. Yellow sun. Green grass. Blue sky. Purple dog collar. Pink bow in a little girl’s hair.
Keep going! What else can you see?
Is there medication we should be taking? How do we know to take it? I feed my cat the same time I take mine. Even if I forget he definitely doesn’t forget to be fed. I put my meds with his food. Let’s fight for ourselves the same way my three-legged Captain fights for breakfast.
Alarms work too. Less... well, my cat in an idiot. So less of that.
Eat. Medication. Drink. Move. Sleep.
By now I bet you’re wondering, “writer, you haven’t told me how to make a difference in my community!”
Ah, well. Its not the big things that change the world. It’s the little things. But we can’t take them on until you are built up enough. Until your soil is ready to grow things.
Eat. Drink. Medication. Move. Sleep.
When you’re ready, take a turn into a shopping center.
Strike up a conversation with an old lady. Remark how beautiful her broach is. Ask her how her day is going. It costs us nothing to listen. It means the world to her.
Go into the busiest food shop and patiently wait in line. When it’s your turn, ask the cashier what their favourite chocolate is. Buy it and leave it for them.
Go into a library and read. Librarians love that stuff. Ask them for their favourite books. Ask them what book made them cry or laugh.
Human connection, my friend. That’s what makes a big difference. Grow your community step by step. Take a deep breath and know you are not alone. There are heartbeats all around you.
Eat. Meds. Drink. Sleep.
I know that’s scary. Talking to strangers. I know that we look up into the heavens and dream of big acts of service.
But you could be the reason someone else makes it through the day/month/year. Kindness spreads out and connects us through small acts of service.
I believe in you. You have such beautiful gifts. Use them to heal. To uplift. To listen. To love.
You don’t have to be the best to make a difference. You just have to try.
Eat. Drink Meds. Walk. Love. Sleep.
Be the joy small children find in bugs. The patience in old people stories. The self-control to be kind.
Grow my friend. Because no one stands still. We are on a river. Either you help paddle towards goals and loves and adventure. 136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDASkRray2s
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You will be lost to the currents.
Here, I’ll paddle with you.
Regards,
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