"May deep breaths continue to rise up, despite the fear, reminding you ever-so-gently, you are worthy of a beautiful life, right here."

Words for December:

May the morning sun sing to you: you are worthy of new beginnings.
May an extra hour of sleep reveal to you: you are worthy of rest.
May a text from a friend you haven’t heard from in a while remind you: someone does care.
May the texture of a well-worn t-shirt you put on today remind you of how you have taken care of your things in a mindful way.
May the scent that ignited a positive memory remind you that even in the most difficult things, you still managed to keep that beautiful moment with you.
May the breath that leaves your body to remind you how even here, amidst all you are holding, you are capable of release.
May the song lyric that speaks to your soul remind you that you are not alone.
May the illuminated windows of the homes beneath the evening sky remind you:
that somewhere in the world, someone found home tonight. Love still runs wild within us, even at a distance.
May the winding down of the day remind you:
tomorrow is on its way, and even though it is unknown, you will not be alone as you travel there. Light will meet you on the path. Hope will last.
May every day remind you: even in the smallest shapes, there is room to practice gratitude.
May deep breaths continue to rise up within you, despite the fear, reminding you ever-so-gently, you are worthy of a beautiful life, right here.

Remember: you do not have to hold it all in. Being the “strong one” is not the only way to matter. If you cannot control everything, it does not mean you have failed at life. You are free to take each moment one at a time. Look around, look deeply into your surroundings and ask yourself, “how can I be present? How can I go with the ebb and flow of the moment?” This can be so valuable for you because not every moment is the same. There are some moments where you must be bold, and there are other moments where you must be tender. But no matter the moment, it starts with being present. It starts with being here on the ground, looking around, with your heart. I know it can seem all too vulnerable to feel in open spaces, but you do not have to share everything with everyone in order to be aware of your own emotions. There is so much happening around you, and there is so much happening within you, too. Look closer. Pay attention. Start small. Start in this moment. You are still becoming who you were meant to be, even if it does not feel like it in every situation. Keep taking deep breaths. Practice the art of being mindfully aware.

More tomorrow…
Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
@thestorytellerco
@morganharpernichols

Special announcement: my new book, "You Are Only Just Beginning" is now available for pre-order! I am so proud of this book and cannot wait for it to be out in the world. Thank you so much for your support. - Morgan