Why don’t you just stop? Who’s chasing you? Who or what is waiting for you?

I know you care, I know you love them, I know you love your job, I know.

But please just stop. And breathe. That’s right. Take a few deep breaths and look around you. Everything looks different when you are still and present. You are missing the point if you are constantly chasing it. So stop, at least for a minute.

Listen to your heartbeat. Listen to the silence and listen to the noise of your presence in the moment. You need you more than anyone who needs you. And all you have to do is just take those couple of minutes during the day to just be aware of the whispers of your soul. Loving yourself doesn’t mean you love anyone else less.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s OK, everything will be OK in the end.

Have a good night’s sleep.

Stroll aimlessly through the neighborhood when your head is full of “I want”, “I have to” and “I should” and feel the wind.

Read a book. A real book. Or go to several bookstores and buy yourself a book and read at least one page from it every night before going to bed.

Mute the phone, listen to the birds, drink that coffee, and feel the weather outside, however warm or cold it is.

Inhale peace, exhale weariness. 

Or do something you have never done before or for a long time.

Play some music and dance, just dance and move with your eyes closed like those Sufi whirling dervishes.

Buy yourself something nice that will make you smile when you look at yourself in the mirror or make you hug yourself.

Call your friend and go to the opera or to the theater all dressed up.

Start going to the gym or do some yoga. Do it at least a couple of times and you will see.

Inhale joy, exhale sadness.

It will be OK one day. Soon. They love you. You are a good person.

You can do that. I know. I am you.