Good morning everyone & happy Tuesday,

Thank you for all of you are doing, I want to invite you to take a few moments to read today’s reflection.

Let us pause for a moment to breathe. Letting go of the days of this week already past and for the time being letting go of the thoughts of tasks to do and people to see today and in the days to come. I invite you into this moment now, to notice your breath and your pulse and let that be enough for the moment.

We are collectively and individually feeling a lot right now. Our pain, our loved ones’ pain, our residents’ pain, our nation and world’s pain. May you be reminded that the ache we feel comes from the love that we’ve dared to continue to offer into the world and may this blessing from Jan Richardson remind you that it will be love that will bring us through this. 

Blessing for the Brokenhearted

There is no remedy for love but to love more.
—Henry David Thoreau

Let us agree
for now
that we will not say
the breaking
makes us stronger
or that it is better
to have this pain
than to have done
without this love.

I think this might be a good prayer for the front of our refrigerators at home. Print out for yourself!

For Our Time Off  – Adapted from n. Reynolds

Let us take rest from Zooming.

Let us leave our inboxes sacredly full.

Let us step away from the noises of keyboard clicks, resident needs, and the push and pulls of work demands and step into the backyard to feel the raindrops instead.

Let us be about our own needs and cares for a time.

Let us hear the sparrow song, Instead of the work phone ring.

Let us stand in front of a picture of our loved ones near and far, Unmasked, ungloved and bare our love and concern for them.

Let us be lifted by joyous table games of scrabble, dominoes and cards.

For this “off” time, let us all have a monopoly of laughter together.

Let us remember the sun will rise in the morning.

Let us know it is ok for us not to rise with it, and instead feel the soft weight of our blankets and pillows in the morning.

Let us find time for our own feelings of pain, sadness and overwhelm.

Let us take joy in how deeply we care for others, and rejoice in giving ourselves this same care.

For this time away from work, let us recognize the power of our “being” amidst all we are doing.

Let us together take a deep breath of gratefulness for our hearts and hands that hold the power of healing.

Let us take care to not lose sight of our own living and worth apart from our work.

May you find some peace in the times here at work and away from work.

Blessings,

Michelle