INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HARD CHOICE

by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed

First, you must take a deep breath.

Let oxygen dance through your lungs.

Exhale it slowly. Allow the hurt, the shame,

the anger to rise up in you. Let your mind run wild,

like a million loose horses. Let the narratives unfold, unroll,

a river of choppy water. Ask yourself how you got here. Look

down at your feet. Roll your shoulders back. Remember who you

are. Take another deep breath. Then, walk it back to the beginning.

Instead of looking at your feet, look at hers. Imagine where she stands. Imagine what he needs. Dry the

river of false stories in your mind. Turn rushing water into a dry creek bed, certainly not clean enough to

drink. Call the horses. Bring them home.

Watch as they shake off the dust of the day. Name what

you’re feeling. Inhale again. Now you are ready

to choose a better

way.