Category Archives: culture

Love Notes for Patience

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*deep breaths*

The post office lady. My patient. The airport traffic lady. Holiday highway drivers.
It’s been a day of tense interactions.
In real time, I think to myself, ‘Be kind. Be open, curious, empathetic, generous–walk the talk, omg.’
And then all I can muster is to not snark, snide, and agress back, to wave politely, say thank you, and move on. Couldn’t quite muster the more loving me.
Some days we are not our best selves. It’s okay. We’re doing our best.
We keep practicing patience with ourselves and others. We are enough.

  1. Our world tells us to expect everything now. Our perspective narrows in ways that jeopardize connection and peace. Beware.

2. Something feels off here, and I cannot put my finger on it all the way. Some may say I overthink. I think I just need to understand. Gimme a minute, please.

3. Deep breaths, my love. You’re doing your best. So am I. May we approach each other gently.

4. Thank you so much for your patience with me. Sleep deprivation, menopause, stress, and the state of the world all erode my mind today. Thank you for not throwing me away.

5. Your patience is such a gift to me. Thank you for seeing my efforts to keep up and also do a good (great) job. Please know I do my best for you.

6. You know your truth… You may just not trust it all the way yet. It will become clear over time – let it rise and show itself to the whole of you.

7. Breathe in Hold Breathe out Hold Repeat. It’s okay to feel any emotion. And we can regulate while we wait it out.

8. Consistency over intensity. Small, sustainable change. The results will come. Stick with the program. It will take time. You’ got this.

9. Sometimes it’s most disappointing when we don’t live up to or own standards. We are all works in progress. Every ‘failure’ can help us grow. Keep going.

10. To those who show us patience and forbearance, thank you. May we pay it forward whenever possible. We can all help each other out this way.

11. When you feel harried and anxious, may an infinitely patient soul cross your path, touch your arm, look into your eyes, and share their calm. It will all get done. It’s okay.

12. Their emergency is not necessarily your emergency. There is often time to breathe and approach thoughtfully. Try not to rush, love.

Love Notes for Listening 

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When was the last time you felt truly heard and understood? When not?
How well do we really listen to one another?
How much meaning and connection do we miss, without even knowing, and then wonder why our relationships are not better?
Oooo, this one could be fun. 

  1. May those close to you attune to you with such fine fidelity that they see and hear you with minimal effort on your part. And you them.

2. May we practice our excellent, present, empathic, and loving listening skills–especially when it’s the most difficult–that’s when we hone mastery!

3. [Written during in flight turbulence] What is your body trying to tell you? Do you hear its signals? What language does it speak? Are you fluent? May you and it connect often and well!

4. When we feel heard, we feel loved. May you feel these multiple times a day, and may you help others feel it, too. This is the best human reciprocity–it’s where love lives.

5. We know we are truly listening when we find ourselves getting more curious as the encounter continues. The potential for connection rises awesomely then!

6. [More turbulence] When you are blessed with someone who truly listens to you, who makes you feel heard, may you notice and appreciate and then emulate!

7. We spend so much of our lives speaking. May your speech land on ears open to your meaning, open to connection and understanding, so you may feel truly heard.

8. When you leave and encounter with me, may you feel seen, heard, understood, accepted, and loved. Then may you pay it forward. The world is just better this way, no?

9. “Listen! You smell something?” Haha! But seriously, our senses do overlap. When we get present, they integrate and synergize! So cool!

10. We are so imperfect, every one of us! But let this not keep us from striving daily to be our best! Practice your excellent listening — it’s worth the effort!

11. I feel so heard by you because you listen not just to my words but you sense context and know what my words me to me, and that is your focus. You are selfless here.

12. What makes you an awesome listener? When you turn on this superpower, how does it light up the world? May you have ample opportunities to shine!

Back in Chicago, friends. Refreshed, recharged, and inspired. More tomorrow! xo

Love Notes for Dancing

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Shake it, friends! What rhythms find you today? How will you sway those hips and sashay those steps out on the street? I wish for us all to let loose a little more, offering our inner and outer music to one another more routinely, normalizing dancing through our activities of daily living. Standing desks are the best for this–what a great invention!

Dancey You. Full of joy. Cardio in work clothes. Let’s go.

  1. When words fail us, may music step up and connect us through rhythmic movement — We can dance rather than talk our way to our togetherness.

2. What’s the ideal rhythm for your gait? Once you find it, you can curate your street walking playlist. Every day is more fun after that!

3. May life bring you dance partners of all kinds, who will teach you new steps and broaden your world in the most musical ways!

4. What are your playlists? Who do you invite to share each? May you have dance partners stashed all over your life!

5. May songs from your formative years visit you when you least expect them, stirring you out of your torpor and moving your bottom deliciously!

6. Ever seen that lady who walks on the treadmill like it’s a fashion runway and her personal theme song plays in her ears? I wanna be her.

7. What is the next activity that you can convert happily into a dance? Who can you pull onto your makeshift dance floor?

8. Have you ever watched those dance improv contests? How can we incorporate dancing into our creative lives? Let’s mooove!

9. OH I just wish for the freest part of your spirit to fly ahead of your body and lead the latter in the funnest choreography!

10. When you feel that familiar fatigue of post-lunch workday lag, may a favorite song pop into your head and overtake your body!

11. May we all have multiple chances to dance freely, joyfully, and shamelessly to our favorite music every day!

12. This one is for Dancey Shane! Thank you for your kitchen boogy videos–they always make our days and inspire our own jams!

I like these lighthearted Love Note days. Sometimes we just need to shake it out and have fun. Happy weekend, friends– More tomorrow!