Recently, I was talking to a good friend about how much stress and sadness there is in the world and how I struggled to write these weekly blogs and not get caught in all of the COVID, politics, and environmental misery. My friend said, “Why not write a love letter?” What a concept! Don’t we all need a love letter right about now? Well, here is yours.

Dear Reader,
These are challenging times. We are overwhelmed, exhausted, afraid, and often really pissed off. Totally understandable if you are feeling that way. Really, it’s understandable if you are feeling any way. Feel your feels, wonderful person. Own them all and then choose the ones you want to keep for the long run.

Reader, I want you to know that I see you. I see how hard you try, how deeply you feel, and how you get out of bed every day (sometimes later than others) and you face that day. I see you looking for joy in small things. I see you praying for or thinking of others. I see you worry and hope and sing and cry and do all of the things that we humans were built to do. I see you looking for hope and for a brighter future. I see you looking to connect, even with those that really annoy the heck out of you.

Reader, keep going. This is a small block of time and this too shall pass. Take a small step every day. Keep going. Look for something small to enjoy each day. Eat a favorite food, listen to a favorite song, connect with your favorite person or people. Don’t give up. Find a tiny way to relieve a tiny bit of stress. Find something to laugh at. Look at favorite photos or think about favorite memories. Don’t give up. Keep going.

Reader, I see you. Don’t give up. Keep going. You are loved and you are love.

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC