i woke
this morning
feeling,
then not feeling,
then feeling
like it wasn’t ok
not to feel.
my heart
wrapped itself
in a blanket.
not apathy,
just numbness.
protection.
but i don’t know
that much can grow
in us,
around us,
from a closed heart.
it’s ok
to open your heart.
it’s ok
to feel,
and feel fully
and honestly.
it’s ok
to let the sound
of your heartbeat
leap out of your body
when things are not ok.
maybe
you’re fearful.
afraid for yourself,
your life,
your body,
your children,
those you love,
the neighbors you see,
even those who’s challenges
you can only imagine.
it’s ok to feel that fear.
may it move your feet
toward the company of others
who can stand with you
in protection and safety.
maybe
you’re shocked.
screaming, “how could this be?”
“what is this world?”
“who would do this?”
it’s ok to feel lost.
may it guide you
toward truth-seeking curiosity,
deep wisdom,
and the unvarnished, undeniable reality
of what is
and who we are.
maybe
you’re furious.
rage-filled
at raw injustice.
mad as hell
at the monster
of a machine
that is beyond control.
it’s ok to feel that anger.
may it fuel your body
to get creative,
to get building,
to get working,
to get loving.
maybe
you’re weary.
worn on this world
and how hard the work
of tending to goodness
has been.
it’s ok to feel that ache.
may it lead your spirit
to a season of restoration
as you breathe,
rest,
and ready yourself
for the next steps
of your journey.
maybe
you’re grieving.
sinking
from the loss of hope.
heavy
from the weight of new burdens
that arrived overnight.
it’s ok to feel that sadness.
may the tears empty your heart
and clear your eyes
to create space
to hold something new,
something more,
something needed.
and maybe
you’re feeling ok.
and for whatever reason
this day feels
like any other day.
thank you for your calm.
thank you for your peace.
thank you for your strength.
it’s ok to feel ok.
may you keep this world
humming,
buzzing,
and hold others
while they are spinning.
it’s ok
to be wherever you are
when everything
is not ok.
it’s ok
to open your heart.
it’s ok
to listen to your heart.
it’s ok
when you feel ready.
long ago,
a woman prayed
during a time
of great despair and pain,
much like ours now.
she opened her heart
and heard another beating:
“all shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well.
love is nearer to us
than our own soul.”
that same heart
beats right alongside yours, too.
may you hear that promise.
may we all.