One Thing at a Time

Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app.

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Anne Stokes Gothic Tarot - Ace of Swords and Halloween AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Mother Prompt for October 10th
: Strength
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication.

The Ace of Swords has then been combined with one of my personal affirmation cards that says, “You deserve to celebrate your victories rather than immediately moving your goal posts.”

New ideas are amazing, and you have a -lot- of them because you’ve got a massive amount of imagination and creativity.  Because of this, it’s important to remember that new ideas don’t have to be acted on immediately. Sometimes it’s better to let them percolate first.

Write them down so you don’t forget instead of pouncing on them right away, and it will give you more time to truly appreciate your successes and accomplishments, rather than discarding them out of hand for something new and different.

Today’s message is a reminder that when you introduce working on too many new ideas at once, you end up overwhelmed and not enjoying any of them. Better to space them out so you can explore them and enjoy them, than to try and do them all and not enjoy any of it.

DECKS USED:  ANNE STOKES GOTHIC TAROT AND TWIST’S HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Zombies Prompt for October 10th
: What new opportunities are rising up in at this time?

Tarot Reading with the Halloween WaiteReading Summary: Revisit your past experiences (Six of Cups) as a way to foster greater stability for you and yours (Queen of Pentacles) as you move forward in new endeavors that require returning to the drawing board once again (Page of Swords).

Take Away: There are a lot of reminders lately concerning ensuring that you are referencing back to past experiences.  By doing so you don’t just build your confidence for new things, but help remind yourself of the pit falls and stumbling blocks that can be avoided as you move forward in the present.

There’s a lot of lessons available to you by examining past experiences and digging out the gems of knowledge among the rubble of both your failed efforts and your successes.  Moving forward, take care to use these past experiences in the seizing of new opportunities.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HALLOWEEN WAITE

@LightningWildflower October Tarot Challenge
Fire and Air “The Fours” Prompts for October 10th thru 12th

Tarot Reading with the Anne Stokes Gothic Tarot and Memento Mori CardsFour of Wands

How can I create a greater sense of community and connection in my life?

Four of Pentacles and Love Endures – If you share with your community in those times when you need to hunker down in the storm and hold yourself tight or else fall apart, they will be more understanding and more supportive than if you just disappear on them. The key here is to allow others to help support you rather than retreating into yourself and away from them in the process. The first step in that is sharing.

Four of Swords

How can I make more time for peace and stillness?

The Empress and Future Past – Sometimes when you’re considering what you need to feel nurtured, it’s important to look forward to the future and consider how you will feel about how you’re treating yourself now. What will your future self look back on with a sigh and say, “Ahh, I should’ve done that differently” when it comes to your own needs?

What will slowing down now allow me to prepare for later?

Five of Pentacles and We Are Grains of Sand – Slowing down gives yourself a chance to see things from a greater perspective than the feelings of the moment. For example, when scarcity comes to call, you can step back and see the bigger picture, and ascertain whether these feelings of scarcity are actual reality or just an emotional reaction to something going on with you or your environment.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged English Oak Leaves for Strength and Stability
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cone for Resilience and Adaptability
Foraged Deer Rib for Connection through the Veil
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: ANNE STOKES GOTHIC TAROT AND RED WHEEL’S MEMENTO MORI

Daily Self Kindness

I had Chinese food.  I’ve been craving it for a while, but it’s become -so- expensive that I’ve been shying away from it for a few months now.

Find the Fit

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Super Heroes Parody Mini Tarot and Sinister AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Mother Prompt for October 9th
: Nurture
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of judgements, one’s inner calling and chosen life path, and looking back on one’s life to consider how they feel about the path they’ve taken and who they have become.

The Judgement card has then been combined with an affirmation card from the Sinister Affirmations deck, which says,”In case no one told you today: Your gaze is as bewildering as it is haunting. You’re like a breath of fresh hellfire” You’d be terrifying to encounter in a dark crypt.”

Be true to you. There’s always going to be people out there that are a perfect fit for you, of you’re open to allowing them into your life. Stop trying to impress those that aren’t a good match, and instead look for the ones that are.

We all want to “belong” and many dream of belonging to “the in crowd”.  The thing is, though? That “in crowd” sucks. To fit in with it you have to fake being what you’re not, and once you’re in it becomes a miserable experience of always doubting yourself and worrying that you might be ousted.

Better to find those people that fit you, and in fitting? That anxiety isn’t such a worry, and the stress of being something your not isn’t a worry either.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that as cliche as it sounds?  Being yourself really -is- the best choice when making friends. Stop looking for who you think you -should- fit in with, and instead look for those that you actually -do- fit in with.

DECK USED:  SUPER HEROES PARODY MINI TAROT AND SINISTER AFFIRMATIONS

@thetruthinstory #embracethemagical2025 Challenge
Prompt for Veil (unseen)
: What is hidden, blurred, or waiting just beyond sight?

Oracle Reading with the Arcanaless ApocryhaReading Summary: Imposter syndrome and self-doubt are a thing (Imposter Syndrome), even for you. And, although it’s not present 24/7, it does come to visit you under the right conditions (The Nightside Tree).

When it does, you need to focus on grounding yourself in your learned knowledge and experiences (The Roots of Experience), and accept that these moments of self-doubt are not reality, just a temporarily altered perception of the moment at hand (Altered State).

Take Away: Everyone feels awkward in moments of uncertainty. This isn’t something you experience alone, and when you ground yourself in your past experiences and the knowledge you’ve gained from them, it can help you in keeping that uncertainty at bay.  The solution is in drawing on your past experience, and that solution works whether it’s a moment of uncertainty, or feeling as if you aren’t knowledgeable enough.

Other elements included in this reading:
Deodar Cedar Ceramic Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Onyx Stone Fox for Identifying and Connecting to Truth
Black Tourmaline for Grounding and Protection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ARCANALESS APOCRYPHA

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Witch Prompt for October 9th
: How can you seize control over your path at this time?

Tarot Reading with the Super Heroes Parody Mini Tarot and Golden Age of Horror Comics OracleReading Summary: Deity work is not the answer at this time (The Offering and Stupid God). Focus instead on your mediumship (A Cold Spot).

Take Away: You do a bit of deity work with the Minoan goddess Amalthea from time to time, and you’ve been looking at ways on deepening that connection.  Now is not the time, though, to move in that direction.

While the veil is thin at this time of year, now is the time to work on  your mediumship. Connect with the dead and allow your abilities to grow organically while they are being naturally influenced by the shifting veil and those reaching through it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Orange Flowers on Bamboo for Positive Outcomes via Enthusiasm and Creativity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SUPER HEROES PARODY MINI TAROT AND GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR COMICS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self-kindness might have been for this day.

Keep Trying

Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the @Calm app.

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Tarot of the Unexplained and Halloween AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Mother Prompt for October 8th
: Grace
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Five of Pentacles (Saucers), which is a representation of tests, trials, struggles, and setbacks in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, work, or manifestations. This often translates into themes that have to do with scarcity and times in life when one needs to seek out help from others instead of suffering through alone.

The Five of Pentacles has then been combined with a Halloween Affirmation card that says”I am strong like a spider’s web.”

The guidebook for this deck speaks of the farmer in the imagery that stands in an empty field with massive saucers overhead; all of the cattle, his entire livelihood and sole sense of income, gone. Joined with the affirmation pulled today, the message in today’s cards is about perseverance.

Bad shit happens. It’s a part of life, and something we all have to go through.  Today’s message is a reminder that we have the inner strength to make it through, as long as we choose to not give up when things become a struggle or it feels like we’re about to break to pieces.  We will persevere.  We will survive.  Life will change, but we’ll still be there as long as we keep trying.   So keep trying.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE UNEXPLAINED

@thetruthinstory #embracethemagical2025 Challenge
Prompt for Whisper (message)
: What is whispering on the wind that I need to lean close to hear?

Tarot Reading with the Incubus TarotReading Summary: Remember when you feel like everything is falling apart (Ten of Pentacles) and you begin to lean into your addictive tendencies and bad habit temptations (The Devil), that keeping your eye on the goal that’s important. That means instead of leaning into destructive tendencies, you need to encourage within yourself feelings of empowerment (The Magician atop Queen of Wands).

Take Away: You are not your addictions. Breaking free from their grip involves empowerment that is fostered by encouraging your passions. That means that when you are feeling vulnerable, you need to seek out those things you enjoy that are healthy, and discarding those that are rooted in your more addictive tendencies.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Clam Shell Shard for Protection and Grounding
Gray Agate for Instilling Gentleness, Calm, and Stability

Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  INCUBUS TAROT

@LightningWildflower October Tarot Challenge
Air and FIre “The Threes” Prompts for October 7th thru 9th

Tarot Reading with the Tarot of the Unexplained and The Graveyard TarotThree of Wands

When I look ahead at my potential future, what do I want to see?

Two of Swords (Ghosts) and Don’t Be Afraid To Fly – You want to see that you have made good choices that foster autonomy and a sense of freedom in your life.

What will help me move forward with greater confidence?

Nine of Cups (Portals) and Sometimes the Dark Is Safer – Find your happy place. When you find your happy place and allow yourself to enjoy it, everything else in life seems a bit brighter, lighter, and better.

Three of Swords

What have I learned from painful experiences in my past?

Seven of Pentacles (Saucers) and Oops – No matter how much you want something, if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be. Take care that you’re not trading in your happiness for more and more hard work.

The goal shouldn’t be prioritized over one’s present happiness, because in doing so you lose far more than you gain.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE UNEXPLAINED AND THE GRAVEYARD ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self-kindness might have been for this day.

Goals, Plans, and Strategy

Today’s meditation was a self directed ten minute long session based upon the results of a “what kind of tarot reader are you” quiz that I took last night.  The results of that quiz said, “The Conduit: You are a channel. Readings move through you, sometimes before you even realize what’s happening. Your practice is intuitive, creative, and bold. You may speak messages aloud or move while you read. Your fire draws people in and helps them ignite something within themselves. ‘The message moves through me’.”

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King of Swords from the Dreaming Eye Tarot and Crow AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Mother Prompt for October 7th
:  Choice
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective “alpha” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with someone that has a way with words and is able to use those skills to lead others to their way of thinking, as well as those that are in authority on intellectual topics such as professors, doctors, etc.

The King of Swords has then been combined with the one of @crowtarotmjcullinane‘s Crow Affirmations that says, “Creativity: I create solutions.” On the back it says, “I love my creativity as a key tool in problem-solving, finding innovative solutions that transform challenges into opportunities for growth.”

Strategy is an important factor in reaching one goals and aspirations. Note that I said goals and aspirations, not life as a whole. Yes, you can go through life carefree and strategy free, if you want to be goal free. But, if you want to have goals, strategy is important.

The message in today’s cards encourages us to examine our goals and aspirations, and take a good look at our strategy for getting there.  Are you just “winging it” and hoping it goes well? Or do you have some sort of plan involved? How is that working out for you?  It’s time to decide if more strategizing is needed, or if you’ve done enough and need to ease up on the reins a bit.

DECK USED:  DREAMING EYE TAROT AND CROW AFFIRMATIONS

@thetruthinstory #embracethemagical2025 Challenge
Prompt for Threshold (crossing)
: What doorway am I standing in front of and what is on the other side?

Oracle Reading with the Ancestral Magick Divination KitReading Summary: At this time, continuing to seek out further growth in your divination (Achiever and Divination) will involve moving deeper and deeper into mediumship (Medium). There is no need for concern, though, as you are protected on both sides of the threshold (Love).

Take Away: Your natural inclination toward mediumship combined with the fact that the veil is thinning means that your growth and development in your divination is currently like water channeled down from mountain to sea. All roads lead the same way.

This is not something to shy away from, but rather to acknowledge this is the threshold you currently stand at, with the living on one side and the dead on the other, and make choices in your practice accordingly.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Yew Tips for Ancestral Connections
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Septarian Stone for Physical and Mental Healing
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ANCESTRAL MAGICK DIVINATION KIT WITH EXPANSIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Coffin Prompt for October 7th
: Where in life can you find room for restful recuperation?

Tarot Reading with the Dreaming Eye TarotReading Summary: When you’re feeling a sense of discontent (Five of Cups) and powerlessness (The Magician Rx), don’t let uncertainty (The Moon) cause you to stray into anxiety and restlessness (eye looking out in the Four of Wands Rx).

This is the time to seek out rest and recuperation, not in the form of sleep and hiding away at home, but in healthy activity (Four of Wands Rx).

Take Away: I can’t help but note that these cards are describing in precise detail exactly how I’ve been feeling through the month of September, and precisely what I didn’t do enough of during that time.

That is to say, when you are feeling overwhelmed and out of control, get your ass out in nature and spend some time there grounding, centering, and giving yourself the connection with the earth you need to find your balance.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Labradorite for a Focus on Mental and Emotional Healing
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DREAMING EYE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got to have some dragon play time with Gid today.

Surprises in People

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Inkromancy 6 Monsters & Myths Tarot and Sinister AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Maiden Prompt for October 6th
: Path
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of crossroads, difficult decisions, needing more information, seeking inward for answers, weighing one’s options, and sometimes avoidance.

The Two of Swords has then been combined with an affirmation card from the Sinister Affirmations deck, which says,”Find someone who looks at you the way of freshly turned she-wolf looks at the ominous glow of a harvest moon.”

In my life, this someone is Gideon… and he doesn’t get half as much credit for how I’ve turned out and the person I am today as he should.

The thing is, when we first met I was a bit of a fuck boy. I didn’t want a relationship or anything committed. I was happy that way, and not looking for more than to get laid whenever I wanted to get laid.

When Gideon came along, he knew that I was the one for him. I, on the other hand, was absolutely positive that I did not want to be in a relationship. It took a lot of convincing on his part, and a lot of struggle on mine, just to get me to allow our relationship to move beyond casual.

Nearly 17 years later, we’re still together. Not only that, but we’re still happy together. I count this is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made in my life… The decision to be in a committed, serious relationship with Gideon.

If you have this kind of connection in your life, the message in this cards today is a reminder to look into the past and see how this relationship started, the decisions that were made, and appreciate the work it took to get to where you are; as well as the uncertainty and the struggles along the way.

If you don’t have someone like this in your life at the moment, these cards encourage you to keep your mind open to possibilities. Don’t write people off out of hand just because of your own perceptions of them, or your own personal wish list of “standards”. Sometimes people surprise you when you least expect it.

DECKS USED:  INKROMANCY 6 MONSTERS & MYTHS TAROT AND SINISTER AFFIRMATIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Prompt for October 6th
: What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?

Shadow of Aeons Tarot ReadingReading Summary: It’s very possible that you’re not gonna be entirely happy (crying woman on the Ace of Cups) with some of the decisions that you’ve made (Two of Swords). Remember that “shit happens”, and that no matter how disappointing this moment may be, it could always be worse (Three of Swords atop Ten of Swords).

Take Away: Experimentation comes with failure now and then. It’s a part of the process and helps you to learn. This means that sometimes disappointments happen and you just have to deal with them and be grateful for what you receive from the experience; whether that be knowledge, success, failure, experience, or a combination of the above. Make sure that you are practicing gratitude exercises during times of struggle and failure, so that you don’t let yourself fall into an emotional pit of despair.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bind Rune on Cedar for a Protected Home
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Deodar Cedar Ceramic Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SHADOW OF AEONS TAROT

@LightningWildflower October Tarot Challenge
Fire and Air “The Twos” Prompts for October 4th thru 6th

Inkromancy 6 Monsters & Myths Tarot Reading and Kitchen Witch Oracle ReadingTwo of Wands

What plans do I want to make for the future?

Six of Swords and Fearless Adventurer – Changing the narrative to move on to something better takes bravery and courage. It’s not for the faint of heart.

After the catastrophe of September, you want to make decisions that will move you in a direction less likely to fall apart at the whim of others… but in order to do so, you need to take on an attitude of adventure, and understand that this change is to move you into a better place no matter how hard or scary it might be. Look more closely at options, do your homework, and then act instead of hesitating.

Two of Swords

What is a difficult decision I’m currently facing?

Six of Pentacles and Calming – You struggle to find harmony between the workaholic that you have always been and the quiet rest that you need as as you get older. Your body just can’t continue to handle the type of abuse you’ve been doling out on it all of your life so far.

Being generous with yourself has always been a difficult endeavor, and at this time of transition, it’s important to remember to make choices that create opportunities for generosity towards yourself. Each time these choices come up, you have a tendency to want to lean toward ambition and motivation, when you need to instead remember to be looking at ways to balance that with quiet and calm.

How can I determine the best course of action moving forward?

Four of Wands and Spring Beginnings – Lean in to incorporating times of calm and harmony into the cycles your life is built upon. Sometimes creating new cycles is disruptive to the rhythm, and that’s not what you’re looking for here. Instead, you need to seek adjustments that allow you to feel more relaxed and at home in your environment.

As you move through this time of transition ensure that you instill these moments of harmony and quiet into your habits and cycles so that they become a part of the whole instead of outliers.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Dried Rhododendron Leaves for Fostering Confidence
Mandala Disk Charged for Serenity and Balance
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: INKROMANCY 6 MONSTERS & MYTHS TAROT AND KITCHEN WITCH ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self-kindness might have been for this day.

Pulling Teeth

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the @Calm app.

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Spirit Tarot's Ten of Swords and Crow AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Maiden Prompt for October 5th
: Discovery
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation long journeys coming to an end, painful endings, lessons learned the hard way, deep wounds, and sometimes can indicate loss or betrayal.

The Ten of Swords has then been combined with the one of @crowtarotmjcullinane‘s Crow Affirmations that says “Grace: My inner-strength serves me.”

Take care to deal with the painful bullshit with a combination of strength and grace. Be firm but not bossy. Show others their choices in such a practical way that they can’t be refuted and demand they choose rather than allowing them to hedge.

In doing so, you will discover compliance is easier to obtain than if you let them have wiggle room to squirm out of providing answers.

“Today’s message is to “Be the lion, but prioritize the integrity of the Eagle while doing so.”

DECK USED:  SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN TAROT AND CROW AFFIRMATIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Prompt for October 5th
: Do Spread 1

Spirit Tarot Reading

Bat – What is ending at this time that needs your awareness and focus?

Three of Cups – Your opportunity for carefree play and enjoyment is drawing to a close. It’s time to get back to preparing for the holiday rush.

Calendula – Who is a loving constant in your life that needs a bit more recognition?

The High Priestess – Connect with L on the topic of her spiritual practice. Something is going on there that she isn’t sharing, and it’s time to get to the bottom of it.

Owl – What do you need to know right now to trust that you’re on the right path?

The Chariot to Ten of Wands – If you move with determination now, you can avoid getting bogged down later. Don’t let your feelings of overwhelm trick you into thinking you’re in burnout.

Rosemary – What memory from your past needs revisited to guide you in your future?

Five of Pentacles – Remember that it’s okay to need a break from spiritual practices. This need does not reflect badly upon you, your path, or your beliefs. It simply means it’s time for a break.

Black Cat – Where is conformity more of a risk than independent thought?

Queen of Swords (fell atop the) Three of Cups – You are not a people-pleaser, but sometimes you aspire to be. Now is not the time. Tell things how they are, and let others sort out their own thoughts and feelings with the truth in their hands.

Wormwood – While the veil is thin this month, what in your life needs protecting?

Two of Wands Rx – Don’t allow yourself to become distracted from where you want to go with your life and goals. There’s plenty of other things going on, and you need to ensure you stay on point.

Raven – Where can sating your curiosity lead to the resurrection of something you’ve lost?

The Fool – Play and fun are needed. Dive into your creativity and explore new ideas. Along the way you are not just learning, but also playing.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self-kindness might have been for this day.