“if I cannot do great things, i can do small things in a great way”
martin luther king jr
dear muse,
kindness is often something we extend outward first
to loved ones, to strangers, to the world at large
but today, we begin by turning it inward
we start by taking small steps each day, to build a positive and compassionate relationship with ourselves
treating ourselves with the same compassion and understanding that we would offer to anyone else
enjoy this week's love letter...
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our meditation
this week’s affirmation invites us to nurture our self-compassion
to deepen this practice, we’re sharing a guided meditation designed to help you develop mindfulness, open your heart, and connect with the warmth of kindness within you
this meditation gently encourages you to send well-wishes to yourself, your loved ones, and even to those you find challenging, creating a ripple effect of kindness in your life
by wisemindbody
our podcast
this week’s affirmation reminds us to honor ourselves, even in moments when self-doubt creeps in
but for those of us who tend to be self-critical, practicing self-kindness can feel like a challenge
that’s where this podcast comes in
in this thoughtful podcast episode, trish explores how to replace self-criticism with self-compassion and embrace the beauty of celebrating who you are—flaws and all
self-kindness for the self-critical person
with trish blackwell
our journal prompt
this week’s affirmation encourages us to treat ourselves with the same compassion we so freely offer to others
but what happens when negative self-talk sneaks in, casting doubt and harshness into our minds?
to help you silence that inner critic, we’re sharing an insightful blog post offering practical tools to challenge unkind thoughts, reframe your mindset, and cultivate a more loving dialogue with yourself
eight ways to quite your inner critic
by dr chris mosunic phd rd mba for calm.com
our book selection
a powerful collection of voices exploring vulnerability as a source of strength, healing, and self-trust within the black experience
through essays, personal narratives, and cultural insight, this book challenges the idea that survival requires silence — and instead affirms that softness, truth-telling, and emotional honesty are acts of courage
at its heart, this book reminds us that we do not need to abandon ourselves to be resilient
our feelings, our stories, and our boundaries matter
we are not broken — we are worthy of care, compassion, and gentleness
a grounding, affirming read for anyone reclaiming their humanity on their own terms
you are your best thing: vulnerability, shame resilience, and the black experience
edited by tarana burke and brené brown
finally, our film selection
a tender story about grief, healing, and the quiet power of care
through friendship, invention, and chosen family, the film reminds us that vulnerability is the doorway to connection and growth
with warmth and heart, big hero 6 shows how kindness, curiosity, and support can transform loss into possibility
it’s a gentle reminder that allowing ourselves to be helped, to feel deeply, and to keep imagining a better way forward is an act of courage
an uplifting watch that speaks to the importance of compassion for others and for ourselves
from disney
your kindness ritual
this week, make time to embrace kindness as both a gift you give to yourself and a foundation for how you engage with the world
nurture your body with movement
choose a gentle movement practice — yoga, stretching, or a calming walk in nature
focus on how your body feels rather than what it looks like, moving with gratitude and care for all it does for you
pamper yourself with an evening ritual
run a warm bath infused with soothing oils or salts
place your affirmation candle nearby, dim the lights, and let the calming ambiance melt away the day’s stress
follow with a skincare routine that feels indulgent and loving
in closing
remember:
kindness isn’t just something you extend to others
it begins with how you treat yourself
you deserve gentleness, love, and care, always
you'll be hearing more from me soon
promise
tamara charese
as always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
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