empathy
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The same, but different
The air outside Mild and humid with Spring rain Sunlight diffused by the overcast sky Sidewalks wet with recent rainfall The neighbors walking their dogs, Entire families outside to enjoy the fresh air Kids shooting hoops in the driveway, but only in their own. Everyone keeping their safe distance, but everyone outside It looks so…
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Swimming in anxiety with COVID-19
Anxiety comes naturally to me. I know I’m blessed and unique in that way (said no one ever). Big news events like this COVID-19 stuff and the stuff with Iran back in January can really do a number in my brain. I’ve come along way with managing my daily anxiety through exercise, sleep, nutrition, meditation,…
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Walls
I feel it in my throat A voice trapped A scream stifled But muscles strangle my soul into silence I feel it in my bones A spirit contained Defined by a deteriorating shell But the body protects the gift it carries I feel it in this room A life that is stuck A longing to…
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Projections
I see them Sad eyes Blank stares Shallow conversation Going through the motions “Is this all there is?” Cries from their empty insides I wonder what their stories are and what brought them here, and if they will ever wake up and escape? Do they even know it’s possible? And then I wonder If what…
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Anxiety attack
Once it had subsided I tried to explain it But the words made no sense Failure Drowning Tightness Suffocating Tears Heavy Frozen “What triggered it?” I don’t know. Maybe that thing… But that doesn’t seem enough Maybe everything… But then I am ungrateful I have a good life And should not feel this way. The…
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The power of hand soap
A few weeks ago I got a company-wide email inviting me to volunteer across the street at Children’s Mercy for a Mother’s Day card signing campaign for “Mercy Moms” – whose children are patients at the hospital. I immediately blocked my calendar hoping I could make it. When I got to the office today and…
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I feel sorry for murderers
Yes, I’m sorry for their victims and the loved ones they and their victims left behind, but I’m starting to view murderers as victims too. Whether they murdered in the name of Allah or Jesus, whether they murdered to “protect” their race, whether they murdered to innact revenge or increase their wallet size, or there…