Describing many reasons I could not perform an act,
Immediately followed by heroic vow to accomplish,
Elizabeth calmly cautioned, "Don't overfunction."
No exclamation point, no raised inflection.
Not motherly, not instructive, not preaching.
A simple suggestion that hit deeply true for me.
Anxious about the future and about my value,
I often leap to action, doing, giving, proving.
Be seen as caring, contributing; earning my way.
Note to self: Just relax, just be, just tell the truth;
Don't apologize about things I don't/can't do.
Stay quieter, be present, focus on strengths.
Breathe, breathe, breathe; write, write, write.
E. Clark-Stern. Personal communication. August 19, 2013.
Ann Beth Blake
(c) August 19, 2013
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