Hi Reader,

Do you ever feel like you don't know where you're going?

🥹 Last night I sang with a community choir I'm a part of and there's a particular song we sang that touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
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It's called "You and the Sea". You can listen to a recording of us singing it and sing along if you'd like!

Here are the lyrics:

I don't know where I'm going,
But I know just what I need.
A soft wind,
The shelter of the forest,
Birdsong,
You and the sea.

There's something so profound and simple about these lyrics.

😫 "I don't know where I'm going" Sometimes I feel lost and like I don't know what I'm doing. My mind races and I feel scared and stressed out. My initial reaction is to try to find relief in controlling things in the external world or distracting myself.

❤️‍🩹 "But I know just what I need" When I catch myself in this state I stop, close my eyes and take some deep breaths. I bring awareness to my body. Where am I feeling tension?

🧸 "A soft wind" I bring a gentle awareness to the place that is feeling stressed. I don't ask it to change. Like a child that's scared or sad I simply sit with the feelings and allow them to express themselves.

🌳 "the shelter of the forest, birdsong" I open my eyes and take in my surroundings. I look around the room, outside the windows, notice the sounds. I am now present. I feel calm and safe.

🫂 "you and the sea" It takes courage to ask for help. There can be a lot of pressure to be perceived as "all right". When we allow others to support us in our times of need it builds intimacy and connection. You're not alone.

As for the sea, this represents the great mystery; the realm of the unknown. While this can be scary at times it's also all there is. The future is unknown. None of us know when our last breath will be. All there is is the present moment and the question of how to inhabit it.

Much love ❤️

Eric