Breathe and Remember

Hello, Friends. 😊

It's been a hard 10 days for so many in this country. A whirlwind of executive orders and the emboldened behavior of hateful individuals have overtaken nearly all my waking thoughts. Many of us are terrified or horrified or a combination of the two. 

I've spent the last 10 days drowning in this sea of chaos, hate, fear, and confusion. 

Just spiraling...

...down...

...until getting out of bed this morning was impossible.

Do you know whose existence I benefit when I am at rock bottom? Not a single person that I love and/or want to fight for. And maybe that's the goal of all of these orders and statements and salutes: to create such overwhelming chaos that those willing to fight are taken out before they've had the chance to gain any ground. 

I have these two bracelets: BREATHE and REMEMBER. 


I wear them everyday. The BREATHE bracelet was purchased as part of the Little Words Project. The idea is that you buy a bracelet with a word that inspires you in some way. You register your bracelet and list why the word you chose holds meaning for you. Once you feel that your bracelet has empowered you to its limits, you pass it on to the next person who goes through the same registration process.

I've had my BREATHE bracelet for two years now, and it does serve as a nice little reminder to take a moment and just breathe. When life is good, when life is hard, when life is uneventful. Just breathe, and be present in the moment.

My REMEMBER bracelet was a more recent addition purchased at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. My husband and I recently visited DC for our honeymoon. We went right before the holidays, and preparations for the inauguration were already underway. While we had a great time together, it was hard to see quotes about freedom and equality all over our nation's capital while being aware that 1.) the founders of this nation did not mean "all" and 2.) we could be on a path back to a place where "all" does not mean "all."

Today, as all of this focus on America's political landscape has drained me of even the desire to get out of bed, I forced myself to get up. I went to workout. I did yoga. I facetimed my husband multiple times about anything and everything (he's the best). And as our yoga instructors reminded us to breathe and be present, I looked at my bracelets. 

Today, I needed to BREATHE. I needed to get my head in order and fully embrace the good and beautiful things happening around me. I needed to laugh and sweat and move and experience a day where life felt "normal."

That doesn't mean I don't REMEMBER. Because the luxury I had to take a breath and find joy in my day isn't currently available to all Americans. 

So tomorrow - after I BREATHE - I will REMEMBER, and I will continue my efforts to get firms to reinstate DEI practices which benefit Persons of Color, women, veterans, seniors, parents, people with chronic illness, and more. I will continue to write my state representatives to vote no to vouchers and encourage others to do the same. 

It is crucial that we not become so overwhelmed by fear and chaos that we don't keep pushing forward. Think of how you can contribute to the causes most important to you. Take steps to support those causes. And when you get overwhelmed and feel defeated, BREATHE. 

And after you've exhaled, REMEMBER. And get back in the fight.

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