I wrote this around the time when grief and anxiety was hitting me hard

It was all compounded:  the pain from the end of my long term-relationship, the anxiety of living somewhere new and working somewhere new, the grief/anxiety from the close call of death with my fur-baby Tyson, the grief from losing my Uncle just a few weeks after that, and the stress/anxiety from dealing with the very real process of handling legalities since my Uncle did not have a will, did not have any beneficiaries, and did not have burial arrangements for himself.

The stress, anxiety, and grief built up and compounded finally manifested in physical symptoms in my body. Rest assured I am okay! (Thanks Doc!) However, I want to continue to be an advocate for the dark experiences.  Because without them, how can we truly grow strong and learn to appreciate the sweetness of the good?

This piece is dedicated to my late Uncle (who became an angel Feb 24, 2021), my Dog (who is thankfully still with us), and my late father (who became an angel in 2009). I hope these words bring validation, comfort, and grace to those experiencing very real struggle in the face of death.

This week's episode features a special guest, and friend of mine, Noah Henderson. 

He speaks his poem "Sway" beautifully for us and then tells us about how mindful visualization helped bring this piece into fruition.

This week's episode is a little longer because there's a little bit of an added bonus. Let's just say it was an unexpected collab between us. Make sure to grab a dance partner and listen to the end :)

Cheers!

P.S. You can follow more of Noah's work on Instagram 

For poems, freestyle dance, & music on Instagram:  @noahnjh  

For photography:  @photonjh

*****

If you enjoy this podcast, will you please show your love through a 5-star review and tell us what you enjoy about it? It would help me understand what you do enjoy, and also encourage me to create even more.  The more reviews, the more this podcast gets shared.  And the more people we can inspire together.  Thank you again for listening!   All my love,  -Tess

This essay is inspired by a conversation I had with a dear friend about feeling a constant tug-of-war between our current career and our art. This one is dedicated to all the underdog artists out there who have current careers in the sciences and are feeling that same torn feeling. This is also just truly for anyone who has been wanting to pursue a passion of theirs but just haven’t for whatever reason.

Two words for you: keep creating.

This piece is inspired by a conversation that I had with a dear friend of mine who asked, "What did you do when your heart hurt so much?"

Grief is the kind of pain that changes a person at the cellular level. I believe it's our human duty to acknowledge it, as it is the very thing that gives us the capacity to feel immense joy.

This piece was inspired by the particularly trying moments I've had working as a bedside nurse. Those days when NOTHING is working the way they usually do.  Curve ball after curve ball.  It a piece that helps to bring me back to my bigger picture attitude at the end of the day, no matter what kind of struggles I go through.  Not just as a nurse, but in life in general.  So tell me, "What do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Jan 6 2021, the world watched as Trump supporters raided the U.S. Capitol. A day when many of us internally knew what would’ve happened if people of color were the ones doing this. This next piece was a prayer I wrote that day. I believe that turning to God first is always the right thing to do, to help me not react, but pause and respond with strength and grace. It is a prayer for those who seek their own selfish pleasures and betray humanity and God’s Word. I lit a candle and reflected on this prayer and found it helpful. So I encourage you, if you’re a believer, to try it too. God Bless.

*This piece was inspired by my first experience living on my own as a new divorcee, in a new town, with a new job as a travel nurse in Oakland, CA.  I left my home in SoCal (where I was living with my Mom & tired of my workplace situation), with the intention of creating a new life for myself, void of any influence from family and friends. As comfortable as I was living at home with Mom and "saving money", I knew deep down I needed change. It got to a point where the need to grow was greater than comfort.  I knew that I would encounter struggle, fear, anxiety, and tears. I also knew that it would be worth it.

Welcome to TheTessLife Podcast, where I share short written pieces of my own revelations. 

These are also shared in written & video form on my Instagram @The.Tess.Life

If any of this resonates or yanks at your heart strings, would ya do me a solid and give me a 5-Star rating? 

Thanks in advance, Friends

Welcome :)