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.
