Pride For Your Whole Self

You are worthy, worthy of joy, worthy of success, worthy of love, worthy of celebrating all that you are. And you have value to yourself, to others, to society. Often in the black experience, we've been made to question these inherent truths. There have been so many judgments made about who we are or aren't, and what we deserve in this world, things we've often internalized to no fault of our own. As a black man, I've learned that to others, my dark skin invokes fear. I've been led to believe my value is only measured by brute strength or force, but I've learned that vulnerability is true strength, and that I must continue to challenge the judgements and expectations of others, from how we look to how we speak, how we think, and even how we behave. For centuries, black people have been measured by the opinions of others, making our inherent worth and dignity at times, difficult to access. I use the word access intentionally, because your self-worth and value are always there. They're deep inside you. But it can be tough when we've been taught to look outside ourselves to know our worth. The late author Toni Morrison wrote, "Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined." We've long been the defined, but when we step into the role of the definer, defining ourselves for ourselves, we show that as black people, our humanity has never known bounds. We are artists, academics, activists, and leaders. We are courageous, talented, and ambitious. Blackness is expansive and we are all worthy. So in this special mirror meditation, we're going to celebrate you and show pride and honor for all that you are. Find a mirror to stand in front of, and feel free to pause the meditation to get there. Or if that's not available to you, you can picture an image of yourself in your mind. Find a comfortable position. Let's start with a few deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth. Again, in, and out. Make this last one your deepest, in, and as you exhale, gently close your eyes or lower your gaze. Feel your feet or seat firmly planted into the surface beneath you, rooting and grounding you in this space. Lengthen your spine and feel yourself growing taller. Scan your body for any tension and where it's present. Gently release it. (no audio) For a moment, be still with yourself. Allow your mind to arrive here. (no audio) Now, gently open your eyes. Bring the space you're in back into focus and see your reflection. Begin by looking into your eyes. You're looking at the most important person in your life. This is the person who guides you through each day. You carry your feelings and hopes. You move through challenges each day, and adapt and grow along the way. As you look into your eyes, take this person in. See yourself for the compassionate person you are. (no audio)...