Hello Friends Old and New,

The word “should” just keeps coming back to me, especially during and after a rhythm journey. Until now, it has escaped written explanation.

Definition of “Should” – Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone’s actions. (thank you google)

It TaKeTiNa almost every “should” is preceded by an “I”. “I should…”

• be able to do this
• know what is next
• be able to step
• not fall out so often
• understand it by now
• take a break
• not take a break

These are a few possibilities that may pop into our heads as we try to do things that are foreign, or even familiar. In our culture, no matter the situation, we think that we should be perfect and all-knowing from the start. We let this thinking go a little when we perceive something to be hard, such as astrophysics. But when we perceive something to be easy,  “Should” enters the conversation, and it usually doesn’t help us grow.

“Should” stories all too often make us feel less worthy. Once I achieve that “should”, I will be a better person, a better me, a rung higher. Should stories lead away from where we are. Take minute with that one. I needed to.

This weekend I invite us to listen for our “shoulds.” When they arrive, I invite you to say to them “thank you. I am who I am. I can do what I can do. I am whole, and worthy of love and community just the way I am.” Try and beat yourself up for missing a clap after saying that to yourself.

I find myself saying “this should be easy” all too often in my daily life. When, in reality, sometimes things are hard, and actually, that is okay. And so am I. A TaKeTiNa journey allows us to move in and out of this space with laughter, support and rhythm.

I hope you can make it this weekend and maybe we can all laugh at a few of our “shoulds”.

Peace,

Jacob Stein
“should” story teller