Take a moment to settle into today's talking meditation.
Get your body into a comfortable position.
Take a couple of deep breaths.
Depression lies.
And so does anxiety.
They tell you that everything is all wrong,
That you are wrong,
Your life is wrong.
They spin you into overthinking and arriving at the conclusion that every option is wrong.
They eliminate context,
A broader perspective,
The healing effect of the passage of time,
Of taking a walk to marvel at the complexities of the world,
Of the miracle of a baby's tiny toes.
Most insidious of all,
They try to convince you that you are unworthy of anyone's love,
That the world would be better off without you,
And that you are alone in your inability to navigate the world like everyone else.
I want you to know that depression lies,
And so does anxiety.
I want you to know that the feelings are real,
But they tell tall tales.
I want you to know that you are not alone.
I have checked in and out of the depression and anxiety hotel so many times,
And felt such shame that I couldn't cope better.
It's why I meditate.
It's why I'm here with you today.
I think it's why you're here too.
It's why I bow my head each morning and clasp my hands together and ask the universe to please,
Please,
Send a miracle to someone who is suffering,
Who is lost in the lie that they are unworthy.
The truth is,
The world is a better place because you are here.
The truth is that you never know when,
Just by being yourself,
You'll be someone else's gift.
The truth is,
You are doing so well carrying your life.
The truth is,
This is your life,
And you are entitled to all of it.
Not just the discomfort and pain,
But also the ecstasy of the first time you fell in love,
And the feeling of a pet's soft ears under your hand,
And the profound quiet of falling snow,
The sun on your shoulders in summertime,
Laughing so hard you cry.
The truth is,
That you are worthy of love and care.
The truth is,
You are worthy of being deeply seen.
The truth is,
You deserve context,
And second chances,
And do-overs,
And nuance,
And broader perspectives,
And unconditional love.
The truth is,
That this life is all an experiment.
You're never doing it wrong,
Because there's no way for you to know what choices you'll make that will teach you the lessons you'll be most grateful for.
The truth is,
That a day will come on the other side of this,
And you will see that you are stronger for having walked the path that you are on right now.
Today,
As you get up and go about your day,
Remember,
Hold your feelings tenderly and with compassion,
But also,
Depression lies,
So does anxiety.
They lie because they are afraid,
Terrified.
They are small children,
Grappling with how to handle pain.
Like small children who tell tall tales,
Who fear the monster in the closet or what's under the bed,
Hold them close.
You know the truth,
That really there is no monster,
But you empathize with the feelings of fear.
That's what it's like to hold depression and anxiety tenderly,
To bring them the unconditional love that is there for you,
To practice it,
To put it into the world.
You are so good.
We need another word for good.
You are so worthy.
We need another word for worthy.
And whatever you're walking through right now,
You will find your way.
