“There is a you telling yourself another story of you. Listen to her.”
Pádraig Ó Tuama
When I come to this month’s theme, one big question comes to mind for me: What story am I telling myself, about myself? Because I have come to realize how powerful the conversations that we have with ourselves are, this has become an essential question that I strive to repeatedly ask myself. It has occurred to me how in our culture, self-compassion is a major element lacking in our stories. I have been joking a bit with friends lately about how, if only I spoke to myself more like I did with the 3.5-year-old I regularly care for, I would never be so hard on myself.
While this work may appear to be unnecessary and self-involved in times of crisis, tension, and deep, collective pain, my belief is that speaking kindly to ourselves becomes more essential in these moments, to show up fully and authentically. The conversations we have inside of our own heads may seem like they are our own, but the mindfulness a person practices determines the way those thoughts spill out, impacting others.
So, this month, I invite you to ask yourself what stories are being told inside of your mind and to speak to yourself like you would to a sweet toddler, a respected elder, or a best friend. Find what works for you to become more aware of your own self-talk. Writing stream of consciousness pages has really shifted my own awareness, but there are countless ways to show up for you.
May you grant yourself the forgiveness, love, and compassion you would for those people you hold most dear. I pray that you know how deeply worthy you are, as you recognize what thoughts are not serving you. My wish is for you to be at home with yourself. May your self-compassion inspire and uplift.
I am here for you, just an email or a phone call away. While I am no longer holding virtual “office hours”, you can reach me on my personal phone at 507-995-7929 or by email at cfddirector@uumankato.org . If I do not answer, I encourage you to send a text or leave a voicemail. Currently, I am available for daytime meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I also do have availability most other weekday evenings. I will continue to do my best to serve as a resource to our community, through connecting you to one another and of course, directly. Being a light in the lives of others is as important as ever, and I hope you will stay connected.
Macey Forsyth
Please consider joining our private Facebook group: UUFM Children’s Faith Development (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404655806251029/). This group is intended for families and congregants who are involved in Children’s Faith Development. My approval of new members’ access to the information there is what makes the group a safe space for sharing. I will be sharing our weekly stories as Facebook videos on my personal page publicly and sharing them in the group, as well as short prayers and meditations.
Link to the stories: Our virtual Stories for All Ages are now available on the UUFM YouTube Channel. At least one new story will be available by Sunday, each week.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwWkbABO6HpDlw5Po2TdQA?view_as=subscriber
Youth Group: I am grateful to have hosted graduate students from MNSU at our last Zoom meeting, for an LGBTQA+ panel, after much anticipation (as we had initially planned this pre-COVID). Thank you to our panelists, as well as Cheiron, Nancy, Anika, Barb, and Lee for assisting in the planning of this conversation!
Youth Group meets next Wednesday, May 5th, from 6:30-8pm.
Virtual Children’s Chapel: Our next Children’s Chapel will be held Sunday, May 9th, from 11:30am-12:30pm. We will celebrate the month of Story!