Today, on this first Monday of 2015, I am:
- returning to cardiac rehab at one Boston area hospital, for the good of my unusual heart,
- going to my job — as a psychotherapist who specializes in group work and in-the-moment patient support — at a second Boston-area hospital,
- calling administration at a third Boston-area hospital — where I spent much of my childhood and am returning to on Wednesday for a consult with a highly recommended cardiologist — since they sent me a letter over the weekend stating their erroneous assumption that I have no health insurance, and
- calling a cardiologist at a fourth Boston-area hospital — where I get my medical care — to find out the results of a stress test.
All of these actions matter to me, this Monday morning.
This morning, before I leave for the day, I am telling myself:
I matter, as much as anybody else in this world.
That mantra matters to me. It also matters to me to invite you to imagine what phrase might help you, today.
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If you thought of a helpful phrase that matters to you, I invite you to say it to yourself (and to share it here, if you choose).
I’m reminded of a mindfulness exercise I use, in my groups, whenever somebody new is present (which matters a great deal). In this exercise:
- when we breathe in, we think of something we want to take in from the universe and
- when we breathe out, we think of something we want to let go of.
Today, I choose to breathe in hope and breathe out fear (which matters and helps).
Yesterday, it mattered to bring along Penny the Pen with me and boyfriend Michael (who matters a lot), as we went walking and then food-shopping at our local supermarket. Would it matter to you if I showed you some photos?
This song mattered to me, when I was growing up in the Northeastern USA:
(If it matters to you, you can find “Monday Monday” by The Mamas & The Papas here.)
Many thanks to Michael, to Vahan (previously appearing in this post, which mattered to me when I wrote it), to Mamas & Papas, to children & adults everywhere, to colorful flowers and other blossoming things, and to you, who matters on Monday and every other day of the week.
I hope the day brings only positive alternatives, outcomes and possibilities – because yes indeed, you DO matter.
This comment matters a great deal to me. Thank you!
My phrase for today, Monday, is “I am not a machine” Thanks Ann!
Thank you, for being such a great human being!
I hope it goes well for you today. Thanks for sharing Monday Monday- brought back great memories 🙂
My pleasure. Thanks for your kind comment. It matters!
Todays mantra is “I am more than all the paltry things I’ve tried to draw my identity from.”
Yes, you are, and you matter a lot!
Thank you. Right now all I can see is my own foolishness!
Look more carefully then, for that wisdom that matters so much to us.
It matters to me that your appointment goes well today.
It matters to me that you are here every morning sharing your brilliant light.
It matters to me that we have connected.
And for me, my mantra today is one I painted as a page in my art journal over the weekend — Grow only love in your garden.
I got stuck in the mud over the weekend and need to water the flowers today. Thank you for that reminder!
Thank you for growing some love in this garden today, Louise!
It matters to me how today goes fro you… because you matter to me Ann! Good luck!
Thanks, Val. You matter to me, too!
You matter to everyone and everything. I hope your Monday goes well. Love Ute
You and your love matter to everyone and everything, Ute, including me!
Sounds like a busy day that you have prioritized just right! Have a marvelous Monday!
Thank you, marvelous and mattering-to-me Kate!
What matters in our lives? You present the deeply personal narratives woven with your professional matters, in a way that lays plain, how all of these stories – our own and others’, deserve to be acknowleged as we conduct our daily living. Each life’s cacaphonic timeline , from the mundane to the profound, if we are willing to see and hear rather than judge and fear, is another colorful ribbon, interwound. Hope we talk soon! Xox
Thank you for winding this colorful ribbon here, Carol. Your words matter so much to me!
Of course, you matter! Sending prayers,Ann, for a successful diagnosis and peace of mind.
Your prayers and thoughts matter a lot to me.
You do matter Ann! Wishing you much success in all your appointments!
Diana xo
Also, a link to a post I published of The You Matter Manifesto that is taken from Angela Maier’s ted talk in june 2011.
http://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/you-matter/
Beautiful and helpful, Diana. Your visit, your kindness, your thoughts, your words, the link to your post — they all mattered!
Love the song, but I hope your Monday gets better and better. Hi to Penny. I’m trying, and failing, just to be mindful when I sit down and stand up. I’ve only managed it twice in two days so far!
Penny and I say Hi back at you, Hilary. I’m mindful that you help me manage my day!
Sending you a letter stating that you don’t have medical insurance is a kind of stress test in itself, don’t you think? But, your mantra and your breathing and Michael and The Mamas and the Papas got you through.
I am thinking of you as you gulp in hopeful fresh air.
Yet another stress test, Maureen. Your comments — which matter so much — help get me through.
Ann, as a writer, you’re a natural:
“Many thanks to Michael, to Vahan (previously appearing in this post, which mattered to me when I wrote it), to Mamas & Papas, to children & adults everywhere, to colorful flowers and other blossoming things, and to you, who matters on Monday and every other day of the week.”
It’s beautiful, and you’re a natural.
Thank you for your natural kindness and beauty, Maria! Your appreciation of my writing matters a lot to me.
My today (everyday) is “You have to listen to other’s good reasons”.
Thank you for this helpful comment. Every word of yours matters.
It matters to me that I catch up with you on this day that matters, Ann Koplow, because you matter to me. I hope all that you heard today at each of the four hospitals pleased your unusual heart and mind.
I’ll tell you what pleased me as much as any other matter, Mark: your returning here to WordPress on this marvelous Monday!
And many more happy mondays to you!
It matters to me that you took the time to write this, Claudia. All the same to you.
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That phrase is very true!
That comment is very Alex! As always, it matters to me, a great deal, that you visit here.
I have been away from my blog for a bit, but starting to catch up. Reading yours is always a pleasure.
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