I honor how far I have traveled on this journey of life
I honor the journey, traveling, learning,
stumbling and picking myself back up
I honor that day by day
I explore how to live
with a life altering illness
I honor far I have traveled
the progress, the set backs
adjusting, again and again
I honor
my fear
my pain
my grief
my sorrow
my rage
I also honor my joy,
and bow down, with gratitude
for whatever force that made me
gifted me with hope
It sometimes seems hidden, but it is always there
a small slice of sunshine
in my sacred heart
It keeps me alive
striving, willing
I also know, and fully trust, it will guide me
when it is time to let go
I honor my vulnerability
my newfound willingness to step into it
how it shapes my voice and, my heart,
when I allow it to lead
The journey is long, we hope, and though rocky at times,
I honor that I still have dreams
sea, sand, waves
a wild fragrant garden
I honor how damn hard it is to be human
to really grow into becoming a human be-ing
It is not a given
it is day by day,
a practice
I honor that I am willing to do it
and all those who stand by me, and with themselves,
willing to do this rough, stubborn work
to reach the soft, tender heart of our humanity
With or without illness, pain or loss
this is how life is lived
day by day
I am learning
to honor my humanity
in doing so, learning to honor others
their journey, their path
it will not look like mine,
nor mine yours
It is a practice
moment by moment
honoring yourself
your life
your journey
*the image is from the Dust II Onyx A Melanated Tarot
created by Courtney Alexander