A Ritual: Space for the Tough Stuff
Dear friends,
This year has been an extremely difficult time to manage my anxiety. One of the ways I ground myself is rooting in my spiritual practices. I find peace in returning to what I’ve always known while simultaneously acknowledging what I can never know.
I appreciate being a leader in Still Harbor’s community because we cultivate an environment where people can bring their whole selves. I never feel pressured to pretend I’m not anxious or scared in a Still Harbor space just because I’m a spiritual leader. Instead, I’m buoyed by the community’s ability to hold space for all that I am, including the moments where I’m mostly a ball of anxiety.
If you believe in investing in spiritual communities where people can truly be themselves, I encourage you to give to Still Harbor today.
I wrote a ritual and prayer earlier this year that I want to share with you in case you are also seeking ways to cope with your anxiety. I encourage you to adapt the ritual in ways that make the spiritual language and ritual itself most accessible to you. You’ll find this ritual below.
Thank you for being part of a community where we can say the hard stuff and feel the hard things. Your support means so much to me.
In solidarity,
Marchaé
Ritual During My Anxiety Attack
When my skin keeps crawling,
Wrap me in your loving embrace
When my breath keeps quickening,
Give me sweet release
Pause to bless something you hear, smell, see, touch, or taste
When my weeping consumes my being,
lead me toward self-compassion.
When the ‘what ifs’ feel too scary,
help me stay present in your presence
Pause to bless something you hear, smell, see, touch, or taste
Tend to the undercurrents of emotions
that burst forward in ways beyond my control,
And release me from any grief and shame
I carry just for feeling my feelings
Pause to bless something you hear, smell, see, touch, or taste
Ground me in my divine resilience
I am still here, I am still worthy
Ground me in your divine companionship:
You are still here, I am never alone
(Repeat the final stanza as many times as needed.)