Confidence is your key.

A while back, when I was taking meditation classes with my teacher Ellen Tadd, we had a class on finding our key. Ellen explained we each had a key to unlocking our full potential. The key might be self love, or confidence, or full expression, or patience, or emotional balance. The key was that one elevated state or emotion that was most essential for you to work on in this life time. The key is different for each one of us, depending on what we have come to earth to learn and to contribute.

For example: Perhaps for someone who struggles deeply with impatience, then patience might be their key. It is through mastering patience that all other aspects of their life begin to fall into place (i.e. relationships improve, appropriate opportunities begin to fall into place, and more alignment with timing and flow begin to transpire.)

Perhaps for someone who is very shy about speaking up, then full expression becomes their key to fulfillment and contribution. As they learn to express themselves, all aspects of their life begin to come into better alignment.

Today, while I was meditating, I heard the message that confidence is my key. It’s been years since i had that class with Ellen, but I instantly realized that this was the answer to the question that was asked so long ago.

And so today, you might want to ask yourself: What is your key? What is it that you need to cultivate in order to unlock your full potential? What quality is wanting to come forward in you at this time?

You may know your answer instantly, or perhaps, the answer may come to you at some time in the future. Keep asking, and stay open. When the time is right, your key will be revealed.

For now, I’ll leave you with the message that I received in my meditation. Because developing confidence is something that can benefit us all.

Confidence is your key.

Confidence is your key. When you believe that you can do this. You will do it.

You have not, as of yet, truly believed that you were capable of accomplishing that which you came here to accomplish.

As you change and evolve this, and as you begin to truly embody confidence,the opportunities set before you will begin to show up.

Embody confidence now. Feel confident. Fill every cell of your body with confidence.

Know that you can do what you’ve come here to do.

Give thanks for your growing confidence and belief in yourself.

Work daily to cultivate a greater confidence. It is your key to success.

Embody confidence though you have no proof.
Embody confidence and see what shows up.
Embody confidence and seek to emanate confidence.

See yourself as capable and your capacities will grow.
See yourself as able to learn that which you came here to learn.
See yourself as able to contribute that which you came here to contribute.

Go forward with confidence now.

Let this be your experiment.
Let this be your test.

What happens as you begin to hold the energy of confidence more and more?

What clarity arises in you?
What opportunities naturally come your way?
What new actions flow from you effortlessly?

Make today, this week, this month, this new year an experiement with confidence.

Learn to face your challenges with confidence.

Know that there is a force of life working with you to manifest what you need.
Know that you yourself are far more capable than you give yourself credit for.
Know that you are more powerful than you currently realize.
Know that you have more wisdom than your currently acknowledge.
Know that confidence is your key.

Cultivate confidence now and the way forward will be revealed.

Be confident in your own inherent wisdom, strength, clarity, and life purpose. And know, that powerful energies are all around you, just waiting for you to step into your confidence and power.

We wait patiently.

The ball is in your court.

Cultivate your confidence and doors will start to open.

He who angers you, conquers you.

I was sitting in my living room, content with my days work when I received an unexpected phone call. The call was from someone I used to know, and without going into the details, suffice it to say, that the call annoyed me. It really annoyed me. I found myself ruminating with such questions as: Why did he call me? Why is he so insensitive? What is his problem?

To make matters worse, I took the call and accidently revealed more than I intended, which sparked a whole other level of self questioning and annoyance: Why did I pick up the phone? How did I let myself get sucked back in? Why did I take the bait?

And then somewhere in the midst of my turmoil I remembered the quote from Elizabeth Kenny: He who angers you, conquers you.

Ah, yes. I forgot. This is a test. This is a test in not giving your power away. This is a test in remembering the truth of who you are even if those around you don’t see it. This is a test in holding emotional balance. This is a test in not letting them get under your skin. This is a test in compassion. This is a test of kindness. This is a test in valuing yourself and self worth. This is a test in staying steady while dealing with the imbalances that exist within you and all around you. This is a test and only a test.

And so with new resolve, I started again. With new resolve, I remembered the great power that I am. And with new resolve I remembered the truth of who I am and how I want to be in the world.

And then I hear the words:

“These people who annoy us are essential if we are to actualize our best. How can we refine our nature without some resistance, without some challenge? How can we become a good sailor without some storms and inclement weather?

Be strong now in the rememberance of who you truly are. You are a powerful being of light. See the challenges set before you as calls to step into your power more and more. Do not be so discouraged when you stumble. For stumble you will. Many times. The important point is to pick your self up and resolve once again. And each time you will grow in your ability to hold your power. It may take many, many, many repetitions to be able to hold this consistently, and so for now be content with your inconsistency, but continue to aspire daily to connect with the true and powerful being of light that you are.

Again do not be discouraged by the stumbles and falls, they are an expected and necessary part of the path. See each fall as a call to greater power. See each stumble as a sign post of where your blockages lie.

This is a process and not a fast one either. And so be content with progress and be content with practice. This is your practice and this is your test. You will have many opportunities to retake the test and so be patient with yourself and be steadfast in your commitment to bringing forward the best that lies within you.”

Affirm now:

I am powerful.
I am powerful.

I am growing in ability to hold my power everyday.
I am embodying more of my power everyday.

I expand into the oneness now.
I merge with the all that is.

I expand into the great and infinite power that I am.

I am a powerful being of light.
I am a powerful being of expansion.
I am a powerful being of wisdom and clarity.

I am powerful.
I am powerful.
I am powerful.

I am powerful and I see the challenges set before me as my test.
I am powerful and I aspire to hold my power more and more.

This is my focus and this is my aspiration.

I remember the truth of who I am.

I am powerful.
I am wise.

I am infinite and
I am eternal.

I seek to embody my power more and more.
I seek to connect with my infinite nature more and more.

I am powerful.
I am powerful.

I am one with all of life.
I step into my infinite nature now.

I step into the great light that I am.
I step into my light and shine.
I step into my light and shine bright like the sun.

I am powerful.
I am powerful.
I am powerful.

Remember to see the challenges set before you as your test and aspire to step into your power. Be gentle with yourself when you fall, but resolve to begin your practice again, this time with greater wisdom and clarity. Eventually all shall be successful.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Sincerely,

Hayley Mermelstein

The divine plan unfolds perfectly.

I was thinking about a relationship of mine that could use some healing and I began to work with the affirmation: The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.

I enjoy working with this affirmation because I feel that it assists in aligning my personal will with the will of spirit and helps facilitate healing for all concerned.

I wrote a short affirmation for myself and thought i’d share it here in case you too have a relationship in your life that could use some healing.

The divine plan unfolds perfectly.

The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.
The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.

I surrender this relationship into the hands of spirit.
May thy will be done.

The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.
The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.

May that which is for the highest good for all concerned unfold perfectly now.
May the divine plan unfold perfectly now.

The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.
The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.

I surrender my little will and merge with the divine will.
I align with a spiritual force of life that has everyone’s best interest at heart.

May thy will be done.
May thy will be done.

The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.
The divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly.

Take a moment and bring to mind a relationship that could use some healing. Affirm that the divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly now. Do not dictate what that divine plan should be. Instead surrender personal will and align with a force of life that has everyone’s best interest at heart. At the deepest level there is consensus. At the deepest level what is right for one is right for the whole. If you are connected with your spirit and the people that you are involved with are connected to their deepest selves then there will be in agreement about what is best for the whole.

And so connect now with the depth that lies within you and align with a force of life that has everyone’s best interest at heart. Do not swim against the current. Instead simply ask that what is best for all concerned unfolds perfectly now.

Surrender deeply now. Surrender to a force of life that knows what is best for all concerned. Do your best to align with this force. Let go of your own personal will and simply ask that the divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly. Affirm this frequently and see what transpires.

For some this will lead to greater expression and communication and for others it will lead to less expression and communication. For some that will lead to a deepening of a relationship and for others that will lead to a shedding of old skins so that new growth and life can happen.

Affirm that the divine plan for this relationship unfolds perfectly and then allow yourself to be guided in right action.
Work with this affirmation frequently and be aware how, over time, this influences the quality of your relationships.

~Hayley Mermelstein

Welcoming what is.

I was thinking about an unwanted situation in my life, and the more I protested in my mind about what was happening, the worse I felt. I had to stop myself (before things got out of hand!) and began to just welcome what was transpiring.

This wasn’t easy for me (and still isn’t) but I did notice that as I welcomed what was happening my body began to relax and my internal tension began to subside.

I decided that for today I would welcome what is and not add insult to injury by railing against what is. This may sound like passivity, but I believe that when we accept what is, we are better able to think clearly and hear guidance to help us navigate the challenges in our lives.

Anyway, as usual, I wrote a short affirmation to assist in this process and thought I’d share it here in case you too have some undesired situation that you are currently navigating.

I welcome.

I welcome this pain.
I embrace this pain.
I accept this pain.

I resist no longer.

I welcome.
I embrace.
I accept.
I surrender.

I set the table and I invite you to dinner.

What is it that you have come to teach me?
What is it that you would have me learn?

Why did you come?
What is your message?

I’m listening now.
I open to learning.

I welcome you.
I embrace you.
I resist no longer.

I am open and receptive.

I surrender.
I surrender.
I surrender.

Stay as long as you like.
Stay until I have learned what you want me to learn.

I resist you no longer.
Teach me what you came to teach me.

I welcome you.
I welcome you.
I welcome you.

Take a moment now and welcome some unwanted situation that is currently in your life. Welcome that which you currently are resisting. How deeply can you welcome what is? How deeply can you embrace what is happening? How deeply can you surrender?

Ask, what have you come to teach me? What is your message? What is it that you would have me learn?

As you welcome, embrace, and surrender, you will access greater peace. As you access greater peace you will be guided in right action.

But for today, simply surrender and simply welcome what is. Simply embrace all that is transpiring. See how deeply you can welcome what is.

Tomarrow (or another day) you can work on solving the problem. But for today, simply surrender and welcome what is. End the war. End the resistance. Embrace what is transpiring and be aware of how this impacts your thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Be content to simply put one foot in front of the next for a little while as you learn that which is yours to learn. Surrender deeply and resist no more. Work with what shows up, and allow life to guide you in the path of right action.

Surrender. Surrender. Surrender. Listen. Listen. Listen.

Do that which is yours to do.

Listen deeply and you will be guided.

~Hayley Mermelstein

I am open to the will of spirit.

I was thinking this morning about “being more open” and opening to the will of spirit. I decided to write a short affirmation to assist me in this process. I thought I’d share it here in the event that it might be helpful for you as well.

Have a good weekend!

I am open to the will of spirit.

I am open.
I am open.

I am open to the will of spirit.
I am open to the will of spirit.

May thy will be my will.
May thy will be my will.

I am open.
I am open.

I am open and my openness draws new opportunities to me.
I am open and my openness draws new experiences to me.

I am open and my openness draws divine favor and divine blessings and divine opportunities into my life.

I am open.
I am open.
I am open.

Take a moment now and focus on opening. Open to receive. Open to greater love. Open to greater world service. Open to greater financial abundance. And above all else open to aligning your will with the will of spirit.

Let this be your experiment today, to open in greater ways: to open to divine blessings, to divine favor, and to divine opportunities.

Go through your day in a state of openness (coupled of course with wisdom and wise decision making). Be aware of how your openness to life impacts the quality of your day.

~Hayley Mermelstein

I am here to love you, not judge you.

Sometimes a phrase starts going through my head repeatedly. When that starts to happen, I know that a blog post or a guided meditation, or something wants to be written.

While going through my day earlier in the week, the phrase: I am here to learn to love you, not judge you, kept going through my head. On one level, I knew that this phrase was meant for me. There are several people in my life I am working on learning to love instead of judge. Also, I’m working on forgiving myself for my own mistakes as well.

On the other hand, i also feel like I am meant to share what I am learning, in the event that it may be beneficial for more than just myself.

It is in this vein, that I share this meditation that poured through me during a short break in between clients the other day.

I am here to learn to love you, not judge you.

It is easy to be judgmental. It takes no skill. Anyone and everyone can be judgemental, and I’m sure we have all had our moments, days, weeks or even months of seemingly justified judgementalness.

And who can blame us, when the people around us are so hopelessly impossible sometimes?

And yet, the fact remains, that we didn’t come here to be judgemental, we came to learn to love.

What? I can hear you shout out (and I hear my own brain protest as well), How can I love this and this, and that and that? It is all so difficult. And people are just so unreasonable sometimes.

And yet, no one said it would be easy and no one said it wouldn’t test every fiber of our being.

But part of why we came to the earth was to learn to love that which we deem unlovable.

Part of why we came to the earth was to learn to love the imbalances, to learn to love the wounds, both in ourselves and others and so:

Step into your love now.
Step into your power.
Step into your balance.

Learn to love that which you deem unlovable.

You do not need to invite all to dinner or even interact with everyone, but part of why you have come is to learn to keep your heart open, to learn to love that which you deem unlovable.

Start with yourself now.

Direct loving kindness toward yourself.

Affirm:

I love you.
I forgive you.
I appreciate you.
I value you.

Send love and kindness to yourself, as you remember that the earth is a school and that you came to learn and grow.

Yes, you have made many mistakes, just like the rest of us. And yes, some of those mistakes have had far reaching ramifications. And yet we must remember that there is a divine interconnection between what we’ve come to learn and what those around you have come to learn.

Train yourself to look for the learning. What are you learning? What are those around you learning?

After you see the lessons, affirm once again:

I love you.
I forgive you.
I appreciate you.
I value you.

You are learning and growing and everyone around you is learning and growing.

Mistakes are a natural and necessary part of the process.

Forgive yourself for your mistakes.

Wipe the slate clean.

Give yourself the gift of forgiveness this holiday season and give others the gift of your forgiveness this holiday season.

Let yourself and everyone else off the hook and choose to offer love and kindness and forgiveness. Do this for yourself, for your own health for your own development and achievement.

It is easy to judge yourself and others.

Strive for a higher, more refined way of being. Aspire to learn to love and appreciate yourself and to love and appreciate others. Aspire to learn to love the wounds in yourself and the wounds in others.

Again, you do not need to befriend everyone and there will those who you should most definitely love from afar, but aspire to grow in your capacity to love now.

This time, bring your awareness to someone in your life and this time direct your attention towards them as you affirm:

I love you.
I appreciate you.
I value you.
I forgive you.

You are learning something from this person. Perhaps you are learning to say yes and perhaps you are learning to say no. Perhaps you are learning to walk away and perhaps you are learning to stay despite the imbalances. Perhaps you are learning not to be so naive, perhaps you are learning to be more discerning in your interactions. Perhaps you are learning to give more, and perhaps you are learning to give less.

The lessons and attunments will vary. What will stay consistent is that you are learning to love.

And so embrace this lesson now and begin to hold yourself to a higher standard. Begin to embrace that you are learning to love. Be kind toward yourself in this process because this skill is not always easy to develop and will take much repetition and practice.

If it were easy, everyone would do it.

And so look to make a little progress everyday in your ability to love. Perhaps aspire to one percent better per day and little by little your heart chakra will open, and your ability to replace your judgementalness with love will grow and expand.

Direct your attention out into the world now and offer your love to all of humanity.

Affirm:

I love you.
I forgive you.
I value you.
I appreciate you.

We are all learning and growing. No one is exempt. And for today, I choose love. And for today I choose forgiveness. And for today I choose appreciation for the opportunity to practice and learn my own lessons.

I am here to learn how to love. I am here to learn how to love the wounds and the imbalances both in myself and others.

And I am also here to learn to love and welcome the greatness that lies within myself and others as well.

I am here to learn to love it all, the good, the bad, the ugly.

Affirm once again:

I love you.
I forgive you.
I value you.
I appreciate you.

We all have greatness within us and we all are wounded and learning and growing.

I did not come here to judge you. Anyone can do that.
I came here to learn to love you, wounds and all.

I love you.
I forgive you.
I value you.
I appreciate you.

We are all learning and growing. No one is exempt.

I love the greatness that lies with you.
I love the magnificience that you are.

And I love the wounded place with in you, for I know that you are learning and growing.

I do not add salt to your wounds. I am learning to add love.

We are all learning and we are all growing and I will do this imperfectly much of the time. But I will aspire to improve and grow in my capacity to bring love to the earth.

I love you.
I forgive you.
I value you.
I appreciate you.

We all have greatness within us and we all and human and and learning and growing and wounded.

I am learning to love all of it.

I love you.
I forgive you.
I value you.
I appreciate you.

And so it is.
And so it is.
And so it is.

~Have a good holiday weekend, everyone. And take some time this weekend to give yourself and those around you the gift of your forgiveness and love. Be aware of how this impacts your health and wellbeing and your life.

~The world needs our light and our love, may we all evolve in our ability to be a bright light on the planet.

~And of courses, couple your love with discernment. Sometimes its best to love from afar and sometimes its best to love up close. Let your heart love and your wisdom guide you in appropriate relating.

Sincerely,

Hayley Mermelstein

I deserve

I was working with a client today and as we were talking it became clear that this client had a deep feeling of not deserving. We meditated and sent light to assist in healing this pattern and then did a TRCB session to further release blockages.

Later in the day, this blog post descended and I wrote it down so that we can all work on forgiving ourselves, opening to receive, and remembering that the earth is a school and that we are good and we deserve goodness.

Also, mark your calendar for Sunday December 27th at 7 p.m. ET for our next FREE TRCB Group Healing. (More details coming soon.)

I deserve.

I deserve the goodness of the universe.
I deserve abundance.
I deserve love.
I deserve healing.
I deserve happiness.
I deserve the goodness of the universe.

Take a moment now to affirm: I deserve. I deserve. I deserve.

At the human level, we are flawed and we make mistakes. But at the spiritual level we are innocent, whole and complete. At the spiritual level we deserve life’s goodness.

Take a moment now and forgive yourself for past mistakes.

Understand that you are learning and growing and that we are all learning and growing.

Understand that despite all of your mistakes that you deserve goodness. You deserve all that life wants to bring to you.

And so let go now.

Let go of the thought that you don’t deserve and open to all that is meant for you.

Let go now and step into the life that you have imagined for yourself.

Let go now and accept with grace and appreciation all that is coming your way.

Let go now and remember that you deserve because you are spirit and you are good and you are learning.

The earth is school.
Part of why you have come is to learn and grow.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Forgive yourself.

Let go of the past and step into your future with arms wide open.

You deserve.
You are good and you are learning.

Humanly there is reward and punishment, good and bad.
At the spiritual level there is perfection and grace and learning.

There is a divine interconnection between what you are learning and what those around you are learning. Remember to see deeper, see the learning and the lessons.

Forgive yourself and forgive others for everyone is learning and everyone deserves.

Open your arms now to receive the goodness of the universe.

Offer the gift of forgiveness to yourself this holiday season and offer the gift of forgiveness to others.

All are learning and all are growing and all are on a very long journey home.

Remember that you deserve.
So often you strive for a goal with one hand and block it with the other.

Step into your sense of deserving now.
Step into the rememberance of who you really are.

Remember that the earth is a school and that you have come to learn and grow.

Remember that no one expected you to be perfect.

You are growing and learning and it is all okay.

You deserve. You deserve. You deserve.

Open yourself up to the good of the universe and let it rain down on you.

Listen deeply and you will know what to do.
The way forward will be made clear.

Open to receive and remember that you deserve the goodness that is coming your way.

Affirm frequently:

I am open to receive.
I am open to receive.

I deserve.
I deserve.
I deserve.

Happy Holidays Everyone and Happy New Year too. Thank you for being part of my TRCB community.

Sincerely,

~Hayley Mermelstein

Love me, even though I can’t love you back.

I was meditating this morning and as I was just about to conclude, I heard a friend’s voice (in my mind) say to me: “Love me, even though I can’t love you back.”

This particular friend has been distant and aloof with me and it’s been a challenge to know how to be in relation to her.

And even though I’m not sure yet of what actions to take externally, her words helped me to remember to stay loving inside of myself, despite the discord that lies between us.

Her words also inspired the following blog post, that i thought I’d share with all of you.

Love me, even though I can’t love you back.

Sometimes in our lives there are people who choose not to love us or simply can’t love us (or be loving toward us), because of where they are at inside of themselves. Rather than take this personally and be offended and hurt, can we find the place in ourselves that can remain loving, even in the face of others anger or apathy or indifference or inconsiderate behaviour?

This is one of the great challenges set before each one of us, to learn to love those who can’t love us back.

In this crazy world of ours this is no easy task, and we are at best very imperfect at it. But if we are truly to open our hearts then we must aspire to love, not only those who love and approve of us, but also those who are cold, or angry, or arrogant, or aloof, or those who feel superior to us as well.

So, let this be your challenge today, to learn to keep your heart open even in the face of those who can’t love you back. This, of course, does not mean you need to put yourself in harms way, sometimes, its best to love others from afar.

Take a moment now and direct love towards someone who can’t love you back.

Affirm:

I love you.
I love you.

I value you.
I value you.

You are learning and you are growing.
Everyone is learning and everyone is growing.

I appreciate you.
I appreciate you.

I forgive you.
I forgive you.

I love you.
I love you.

Be aware of how this softens your heart. Be aware of how this shifts your energy.

Let this be your challenge today: to send love to someone who doesn’t treat you well or can’t (at this time) love you back.

As you grow in your ability to do this, your heart chakra will open and you will be able to manifest more of your best self.

After you have opened your heart you can ask: Given what is, what is the loving thing to do? You can listen deeply within and let your inner wisdom guide you in right relation.

Sometimes it is loving to love from afar and sometimes it is loving to love up close. Sometimes it is loving to say yes and sometimes it is loving to say no. Sometimes it is loving to give other people the space that they need. Sometimes it is loving to come close. Sometimes it is loving to give other people freedom to choose and not force our own will or desires on them. Sometimes its loving to value ourselves enough to walk away. Sometimes its loving to let other people just be. Sometimes its loving to ask for more. Sometimes its loving to ask for less. Sometimes its loving to challenge the status quo. Sometimes its loving to express and sometimes its loving to remain silent.

The individual attunement will vary. It is through deep listening that we will know how to best express the love that is in our hearts.

But for today, simply work on opening your heart chakra. Do this for yourself, so that you can be the best that you can be. Be aware of how this impacts your life and your manifestation.

Ask yourself:

What changes as you become a more loving person?
What percentage of your day can you stay in love?
Can you appreciate this adversary in your life for teaching you how to love in a deeper way?
What else can you appreciate about this person?
What else are you learning from this challenge?

You can simplify the affirmation I shared above by simply stating:

I love you.
I love you.
I love you.

You can silently say this to yourself and silently say it to others all day long.

Be aware of what impact this has on you and your relationships.

Some relationships may improve with this affirmation of love, and some, which are no longer appropriate for you, may find their good elsewhere. Sometimes nothing will change externally but your own internal environment will be transformed.

One thing we can say for sure, is that the affirmation, I love you, will raise your own vibration and help you to bring your best self forward more and more. Be aware of the far reaching impact this can have on your health, your relationships and on your own life as well.

Hayley Mermelstein

P.S. We will be having our monthly free TRCB teleclass this Sunday, November 29th at 7 p.m. This is a great opportunity to join with a group for the purpose of balancing your chakras and bringing your best self forward more and more.

To join our call, simply call: 413-259-8048 at 6:55 or so, on Sunday evening. The lines will be muted, so all you need to do is sit back and relax and allow the opening meditation and TRCB healing to wash over you and bring you whatever healing and transformation you need at this time. Feel free to forward this email to a friend in need as well.

I look forward to joining you on the call!

For those who would like to have access to our recording page, you can join our subscription program by signing up here: http://trcbhealing.com/teleclass/

Imperfect Hearts

Sometimes it is hard to see the perfection beneath the humanity.
Sometimes it is hard to see the beauty that lies within.

But I will aspire to see the true you.

The you beneath the gruff and the huff.
The you beneath the defensiveness.

I love you with an imperfect heart.

But I will aspire to remember that you are beautiful and you that are good and that you are learning and that you are afraid and that you are wounded, just like everyone else.

I love you with an imperfect heart.

But I will aspire to know that at your core you mean well, and that you want to be loving and be loved, and that you want to be a radiant being upon the earth.

I love you with an imperfect heart.

But I will aspire, to remember who I am and how I want to be in the world, and to see your imperfections with a kind eye and a gentle heart.

I love you with an imperfect heart and that is okay, because we are all learning and we are all growing and we are all perfection becoming more perfect.

I love you with an imperfect heart.

~Hayley Mermelstein

P.S. Have a nice Thanksgiving everyone.

Also, we are having our FREE TRCB TELECLASS the last Sunday of every month. Be sure to join us on the call Sunday November 29th, 2015 at 7 p.m. I’ll send out call in information next Saturday!

I’m good, right?

He was 5 years old and is one of the loves of my life. We were playing together outside on a hot summer day while his 4 years old sister tried fruitlessly to carry her bucket of water to some unknown destination.

I say to the 5 year old, maybe we should go help your sister, it looks like she having trouble carrying her bucket. I say it in such a way to help him feel like the big boy that I know he wants to be.

And as we are walking to meet her, he stops, turns to me and asks in the most sincere of voices, “I’m good, right”.

And it’s a real question, and I know that it is an important moment.

And, I turn and I look him in the eyes and I say, yes, you are very good. And he looks at me and smiles and nods, as if to say, I thought so, I just needed to make sure. And I see him take my words in and he is relieved.

But his question hits me hard because I see a five year old who is teetering on the edge of losing the knowing that he is good, and although my answer temporarily reassures him, I know it won’t be enough to battle the forces that will be coming: the well meaning but over worked teachers, sleep deprived parents, young friends and adversaries, not to mention societal expectations.

But what can I do in this moment but tell him he is good?

Five years pass and that little boy is 10 years old now and I can tell he is forgetting what he once knew, and I want to whisper in his ear: You are good. You are good. Don’t forget, you are good.

But I can’t quite yet, because he is running off to baseball or basketball or playing with the other 10 year old neighborhood kids or teasing his sister or playing a video game or doing his homework.

But I will bide my time and wait for the right moment when I can remind him in some 10 year old appropriate way that he is good and that he is learning and that he is only 10, and it is okay to make mistakes and it is okay to not know and it is okay to cry and it is okay, it’s all okay.

But I can’t say it to him quite yet.

But I can say it here, to the 10 year old in all of us, who perhaps has forgotten what we once knew.

I could say:

Don’t forget that you once knew you were good. Before the conditioning and the tired voices all around you told you otherwise.

Don’t forget that it is okay to make mistakes, and its okay not to know, and it is okay not to be sure, and it’s okay to cry and we are all like children until we reach enlightenment.

Don’t forget that you have greatness in you, too.

Don’t forget that you are perfection becoming more perfect.

Don’t forget. Don’t forget.

Remember who you truly are.

Remember that you are good and you are learning.

Remember that the earth is a school.

And that you came to grow and to learn and to share and serve and to enjoy.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Forgive yourself.

It’s all okay.

I love you.

Don’t forget. Don’t forget.

And maybe, just maybe, the 10 year old inside of all will, at long last, remember what has been forgotten.