POSTSCRIPT + AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU

FROM DR. ESTÉS

TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT, A Prescription From Dr. E.

I assign you to be a beautiful, good, kind, awakened, soulful person, a true work of art as we say, ser humano, a true human being. In a world filled with so much darkness, such a soul shines like gold; can be seen from a far distance; is dramatically different.

Want to help? Show your deepest most divine self to the world. There is nothing more rare, more strange, more needed. Why would you wait? Not worthy? Oh piffle. Not ready? Okay, so when? Next lifetime? Don't be silly with me about this. Inferiority complex? Okay, let me put it this way to you: you're not good enough to think you're not good enough. And you can quote me to yourself whenever you have need...Dr. E. said so.

Have you forgotten that you made promises to your Beloved before you ever came to earth? The time to fulfill these is truly now. You want to cease feeling helpless, and you want to help the aching world? Serve someone and something. Everyone on earth serves someone and something. This means being your truest self now, fulfilling the promises you made to heaven long ago.

Anything you do from the soulful self will help lighten the burdens of the world. Anything. You have no idea what the smallest word, the tiniest generosity can cause to be set in motion. Be outrageous in forgiving. Be dramatic in reconciling. Mistakes? Back up and make them as right as you can, then move on. Be off the charts in kindness. In whatever you are called to, strive to be devoted to it in all aspects large and small. Fall short? Try again. Mastery is made in increments, not in leaps. Be brave, be fierce, be visionary. Mend the parts of the world that are "within your reach." To strive to live this way is the most dramatic gift you can ever give to the world.

Consider yourselves assigned.

No lack of love,

tu abuelita,

Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D.

P.S.

Additional ways to help yourself during troubled times. Limit the amount of news you watch or listen to, remembering that sensationalism's goal is to bring in advertising dollars, and thusly certain sources may not bring the most accurate newscasting. For risks you hear about that are accurate, take reasonable measures. For what you cannot do anything about, pray for those who can. Prayer is a mantle of protection for other souls, a tower of psychic strength for others to lean on. For risks that are dreamed up in the Chicken Little, "the sky is falling" overwrought style," file them under "Poof!"

Invest yourself in humor as often as possible; find friends to laugh with. Everyone should have at least one very funny friend, and at least two others who love to laugh themselves silly. Read funny books. Go to funny movies. For many, right now is not the time to go see Chainsaw Massacre on 33rd Street. Now is the time to create memories of the good kinds. This is done by gathering together with those you care for and doing something you all can remember with smiles afterward.

© 2001-2018. C.P. Estés. All Rights Reserved.