My mountain friend, G, sent me a YouTube video that I thought was worthy of passing on. It’s a recent TEDx talk given by Dr. Brené Brown, a social worker from the University of Houston. With some reluctance she describes herself as a researcher-storyteller whose major piece of work is about shame, “excruciating vulnerability” and human connection. I’ll pass on G’s invitation, too, in that I hope you’ll take a half an hour to “make a cup of tea and sit a bit and let it sink in.”
Click here for the video.
As I sat a bit and let Dr. Brown’s message sink in, I recalled one of my favourite poems by one of my favourite poets, David Whyte:
ENOUGH
Enough. These few words are enough.
If not these words, this breath.
If not this breath, this sitting here.
This opening to the life
we have refused
again and again
until now.
Until now.
And the same day, I received this tender reminder “to breathe rather than try, to relax rather than offer effort, to smile rather than struggle, to be rather than do.”
I am enough and so are you.
"Mercy" - Albuquerque Museum of Art
What if? What now? What next? 
I find this post on a blizzardy day, having spent it in my pj’s with my two sick kids. I’m not sure the nature of their sickness today. It was certainly fueled by flu and an ear infection. But as I reflect, I think they are healing from something more mountainous. I think they are healing from the hubbub of 2010. It was in this year that their parents separated. And I think their bodies have given way and are guiding them to rest and refuge. I think their illness these last weeks has been a cry to me, “Am I enough?”
Ironically, I am working hard at getting to “I am enough”. As I read your post, Katharine, I see that I must work less hard. I am recovering from 35 years of not being enough. Whoa! I sense a conundrum: it is an effort for me not to offer effort…. Breathe, relax, smile, be.
So good to hear from you, Shannon. I value your reflection and knowing about your children and their need for rest and refuge. Children’s innate connection to themselves is a wonderful mirror for and to us, don’t you find.
Blessings as you soon have time for your own and that it be enough.
Mmmmm, Katharine. very worthwhile. so foundational. beautifully wrought.
thank you for sharing. xox sue
So glad you liked it. Sue.
Your last response inspired the previous post. Thank you for that.