I'll wrap up this invite to join us on Monday evenings with a quick visualization.

Imagine it's already one year from now.   You're getting settled to click your Zoom link to connect in a little early to catch-up with people you've come to know - and cherish - over the past few months.  You know Soul always opens the room at least 15 (sometimes 30) minutes early to help everyone get settled in before promptly starting on time. 

You're snuggled up in your comfy clothes. You've got something to sip and snack on.  You've turned off stuff so that you've got a quiet space. People are already laughing and having a blast when you arrive.  Feels like that past week has blown by.  You - and many others - giggle at Soul's lamenting at how fast a year has blown by - as he starts the session recording.

On this particular night, Soul asks if folks would like to take a night to reflect on this question:  "How is life different based on what you've experienced with your virtual family."

After what seems like an unusually long silence, Soul chuckles and reminds people, "We can certainly return to our syllabus content if taking trips down memory lane seems too hard."

You laugh as you immediately speak up!  You'd LOVE to share how your life is dramatically different!  In fact, you share that you're a bit pissed at yourself for taking so long to ask for help.  You now realize that you should have asked for help the first time you felt almost paralyzed by all the chaos that never seemed to end starting back in 2017.   

Soul pipes in - as he always does when he hears "should haves" with a reminder that should haves are as useful as eating soup with a fork!  Everyone laughs.  They all know what Soul means. In past Monday nights, they've talked about the never-ending stress from feelings of doubt, guilt, shame and worry - caused by woulda's coulda's, shoulda's. 

After you say, "Ya! Ya!  I know! I know!  I know what's past is past.   I also now know that had I gotten the kind of support I'm seriously liking right now - years ago -  I'd be in a far better place now." 

One friend you've made - who've you've talked with privately outside of Zoom sessions - chimes in with, "Better late than never - right!"  Everyone hoots and hollers with all sorts of affirmations and laughter.

After everyone quiets down, you know Soul's gonna ask you: "So - what's better for you now?"

With a bit of a tremble in your voice, you take the risk to be genuinely transparent. You say, "I felt so alone before. Feeling alone made things feel far worse than they needed to be.  You all help me know I'm not alone.  BUT!  With a hearty laugh - you share, "You all piss me off at times because - frankly - you point things out I know I know - but forgot!  I love  - and hate it - equally when that happens!"

Soul chimes in giggling:  "You're not the only one that's pissed off, I'm sure! Anybody else?"

Of course the regulars all pile on Soul with a variety of well-intentioned, sarcasm-dripping scolding's. 

Then Soul asked, "So, now that you know you're not alone, do you feel more confident that you're able to ride life's roller coaster with more of a thrill attitude versus worry yourself sick all the time?"

After a resounding YES - you got that right - you say, enough about me, who's next!

The rest of the call flies by.  You laugh at the end of the call when you realize what you shared about not being alone struck such a deep chord with everyone.  Most everyone shared similar stories. 

Getting up to stretch after clicking out of the call, you feel unusually calm.  So calm you slip into bed for an amazing night's sleep.