Dear Subscriber First Name,

Have you ever noticed that certain words can contain volumes of meaning and speak to you generously no matter the moment? A stand-alone word that calls you forth and seems to always move your feet, your hands, your gaze, your heart in the direction most needed? A term that holds endless synonyms, metaphors, promise? Tender has been this voluminous word for me lately. Even as I write it here, the word tender grows on the page with all that it holds, all that it asks of me. Tenderness. Try saying it under your breath. Allow it to evoke a feeling, memory, longing. What parts of your body come alive in the invitation of tenderness, which of your senses? With tenderness is how I yearn to greet my own eyes in the mirror, the weather as it changes, all that is broken, and whatever life will bring my way today. Even if it slips away - as it will - and takes on the shape of something more resentful or righteous, may I at least lead with tenderness. And may it become so familiar to me, so well worn, that I can always find my way back.

These are surely challenging times. There is no shortage of news that can break my heart every day. And there has been no shortage of times like this of late. It seems we are saying far too often, “In times like these…” referring to escalations of conflict, climate change, injustice. Heartbreak. In Wake Up Grateful, I wrote “…facing the truth of all that is broken and in need of repair pulls at any tender heart that is awake.” If you are like me, we need to keep finding ways to continue to be tender and generous, hopeful and engaged, in the face of all that hurts. We need to know how to keep filling the well of wonder, joy, and love - within and around us - even, and especially, in difficult times.

I hope that you and/or others in your life will consider joining me at Kripalu Center the weekend of December 8 - 10. Our time together will be spent developing the spiritual musculature to consistently offer our most tender, grateful, and robust yes to life, in the midst of all its abiding uncertainty and sacredness. Please share this nourishing and life-changing opportunity with those you think would benefit from it. The program is always such a meaningful experience that I cherish sharing. And please do visit my website for more inspiration and information, if you are so moved. With love -