Meaning

The passage introduces four characters – Past, Present, Future, and Self – who navigate through a metaphorical mental space, confronting past shame. While Past offers optimism, Present provides realism, and Future encourages strategic planning, Self acts as the discerning decision-maker. Together, they face their fears, aiming to pave the way for a compassionate and fulfilling future, acknowledging the importance of self-compassion and resilience.

~3 min read Character introductions: Self The Discerning Decision-maker of the group. Self hears out the perspective of the others and aims to make the most effective and compassionate call (Past)Whimsical and hopeful, (Past) often has grand ideas that have not yet met with the limitations of reality {Present}Grounded in the here & now, {Present} […]

~4 minute Read~ I have a visual blossoming in my mind of me standing inside a lantern looking out at the darkness. I see myself reflected in every angle, and I’m somehow tasked with wiping away the film that keeps the light trapped inside. Every small opening I accomplish creates a beam of concentrated brightness […]

~4 min read~ I keep thinking: “This is it. The transformation has arrived. After today, I’ll be different.” Every time, I’m right. The problem is that it keeps happening. Over & over. So it’s hard to settle in to the new norm when…it doesn’t stay still. Like measuring the location of an atom: We EITHER […]

A void could be a mirror, or a blank page, or a moment of grief. We avoid the voids, fearful of the unknown and the known but banished truths we find ourselves afraid to acknowledge. We try to fill the voids with distraction and shame, and then cover them with a cloth like an old […]

Once again, we return to intentional meaning-making. Ready to write our own stories about what Planning could bring to our daily lived experience? For me, it’s a favor I do for my Future Self – much like meaning-making in general. Future Me wants nothing more that to be able to be fully present with whatever […]