25, part 2

these things i promise you

1. i will forgive generously and often.
2. i will pour soap and hot water over these limbs even when i can barely drag myself from bed.
3. i will eat whole foods and whole pints of ice cream.
4. i will look at the moon and press my root to the earth.
5. i will bleed in abundance without apology.
6. i will love without condition or attachment.
7. i will rest without guilt.
8. i will walk in the forest and take naps under the stars.
9. i will protect my heart from those who cannot revere it.
10. i will wash dishes and sweep floors and get up again and get up again.
11. i am my own universe and you are my universe, too.
12. i am the observer but i must participate.
13. i am safe in the here, right now.
14. i am immune from the pain of judgment if i can only manage not to judge myself.
15. i am resourced enough to always go on, strong enough to keep rising up.
16. i will not shave my legs because you say i should.
17. i will not eat because you say i should.
18. i will not say yes because i feel obligated.
19. i will not betray myself to protect your feelings.
20. i will not live in the grasp of ultimatums.
21. i will not create stories of what other people must think of me.
22. i will not ask anyone’s permission.
23. i will not lie to make anyone happy.
24. i will not starve in hopes of disappearing.
25. i will not close my eyes to injustice, to change, to hardship.