It seems I've been here before

moving at the unnatural pace of

expectancy and expedience

not breathing, not tasting,

not knowing, not listening

not feeling.

not feeling other than what

my mind tells me I should

empathy only for others

pay attention only to others

give hope to the masses

hold yourself from taking any for yourself

smile only to cover something up

cry only to show the pain

pray to move mountains that others cannot climb

while you're behind a mountain yourself

do it all that others might feel good

carrying a world that you did not create

carrying people you did not breathe into

begin to loosen your grip

wiggle your fingers

relax your toes

while sitting or standing

be still and feel

yourself releasing the hold

where are you in your body?

are you in your body?

pay attention to what's yearning right now for your attention

for your touch

reach out and touch it not quickly

but gently and kindly with Grace and Love

feel yourself gazing at yourself

willing to care for yourself

be still and feel

what kindnesses are bubbling up for you to speak to yourself

speak them to that place you are touching right now

feel the words as they rustle their way with medicinal properties and permissions

to be aware of yourself

be still for just a second and feel

be still for this moment and feel

be still to receive what you need and feel it filling you

be still, be still, be still

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