Yes.

-
You really gotta be your own "Yes." To me, this is a face of Possibility. A giant Yes.


I was about 4 years old here. A completely open face to go with the heart, and a spirit of adventure too. The joy is palpable, right? So why does the fight to keep that joy, the same faith in Possibility grow more difficult with time? Lots of different reasons from a million little moments that start adding up, hardening to create its own coat of armor.

I get so used to steeling myself with dogged confidence just so I can keep showing up, even when all of that confidence is just thrown into the void, even when anything from unimpressed to flat out rejection comes from the other side. When acceptance or even accolades do come, it's almost confusing to me because I have trained myself to expect so little from others. 

What's concerning is my great relief in these more affirmative moments. There's a validation, the thought that "No, in fact I'm not crazy..." I am, in fact, right to be confident in myself through this madness. This feeling of relief says to me that there are still serious doubts in my heart of hearts. Like a shoreline, it's so difficult to stop erosion against a constant tide.

Somehow, you have to be your own "Yes." What does that look like for you? No matter your endeavor, I'd love to hear your comments below.

Popular posts from this blog

This October--1/2 Day Online Mindfulness Retreat!

-
Image
I am excited to announce a very special program I am co-leading this October with Laurie Rosenberg and Carrie-Ann Tkaczyk:   This online, 1/2 Day retreat will be offered Saturday, October 7th 2023, from 11:30am to 4:30pm EDT. Sessions include Tuning In, Heart Openers, Fostering Connection in Our Hyper-Digital World, and Everyday Mindfulness, with lots of opportunity to reflect and share in community. There will be ample breaks for balance, and loads of mindfulness engagements for you to try on and take with you, to immediately integrate into your journey. Click the image above (or link below) for more info and to register, and please share this with any friends/family/contacts that may be interested in learning more about mindfulness. I hope to see you there!   For more info. and to register, click HERE!  
Read more

June 2023's Mindfulness Monday: Building Resilience with Mindfulness: Working Skillfully with Suffering (or.. Shit Happens!)

-
Image
  Join us for June 2023's Mindfulness Mondays drop-in class! Monday June 26, 2023 from 7-8PM ET on Zoom. Suffering (which includes any challenging experience we may face) is inevitable in life. In this session, we examine and start to utilize the tools of awareness and compassion, in order to meet our challenges more skillfully. There will be a short talk, a guided meditation, and time for reflection and Q&A. Trauma-sensitive guidance is offered throughout. Drop-in classes support beginners to meditation and also those looking to deepen their practice—ALL are welcome! Register here and a Zoom link will be sent closer to the date. This class is offered in the Buddhist dana tradition. Any offering you choose to give will directly support my continued practice to serve the future classes I build. $10 USD donation-suggested (Venmo @alyssahchase, pay via EventBrite, or email chasingalyssa@gmail.com to arrange), or you may give whatever feels supportive to you, and no one will be tur...
Read more

July 2023's Mindfulness Monday: Defining Mindfulness and the Essentials of Practice for You

-
Image
  Join us for July 2023's Mindfulness Mondays drop-in class on Monday, July 24, 2023, 7 PM-8 PM ET, Live on Zoom! The practice of mindfulness is guided largely by how you define it. In this session, we will explore various definitions, what serves you on your journey, and what essential tools (like meditation) look like in applied practice. Whether you're new to meditation or have been practicing for decades, it's valuable to give consideration to your essential toolbox from time to time, and a gift to do this in community. There will be a short talk, a guided meditation, and time for reflection and Q&A. Trauma-sensitive guidance is offered throughout. Drop-in classes support beginners to meditation and also those looking to deepen their practice—ALL are welcome! This class is offered in the Buddhist dana tradition. Any offering you choose to give will directly support my continued practice to serve the future classes I build. $10 USD donation-suggested (V...
Read more