We’re elementary school tree science

Xylem & phloem are real life support -

Photo by Shane Rounce

I walk to the table, nervous but confident — I’ve approached thousands of tables — these are just my coworkers. We’re in mock service-training for an opening restaurant and everyone is practicing the basics. All the greeting don’ts are running through my head: don’t be gendered, don’t be casual, don’t introduce yourself. This performance anxiety is muffling my dos. I greet them (nail it!), then freeze — what comes next? My fellow bartender helps me, “I think we’d like to start with some sparkling water…” Water. I can’t believe I forgot — but I’ll remember my teammate forever.

I am supported.

My example may seem small but it made a big impact (it’s xylem). This affirmation is a call to notice the “I’ve got your back” moments. Camaraderie instead of competition. As a competitive person, I need this reminder frequently: most people are on my team, and I’m on theirs.

Join me in a moment of bringing into mind the people and relationships that support us (past and present). Let them arrive without pressure. Be aware of your feelings of gratitude for them.

Where are these sensations collecting in your body?

Does your heart feel warm?

Are your shoulders tingling?

Does your chest feel expansive?

Take a few deep breaths as you acknowledge these sensations. Sure, close your eyes.

Embrace the support these relationships represent: you are held in this connection.

I am supported. This is your affirmation.

Recognizing how to be on my own side is a powerful and necessary part of this supportive network (it’s phloem). I uplift my community from my core self, but I often forget to be a good teammate to me. Squad-up!

Photo by Vonecia Carswell

This affirmation is also a call to sustained support, both mentally and physically, for myself. By doing so, my actions are empowered.

Using purposeful self-talk, I counter my own negative internal voices. This includes gratitude — instead of judgement — for my skeleton, joints, muscles, tendons, and all the organs too! My team is killing the game after years of hard treatment. My body — exactly as it exists now — is on my side.

I don’t know how to describe my internal voice aside from “core self.” She’s the radically honest one with the clearest vision and usually knows better than I like to acknowledge (I’m learning, though!). Do you know this voice for yourself? How does it sound?

(Need help finding it? Try, “Are you here, self?” It actually works — push past embarrassment and take a moment to listen...)

Is it gentle and understanding? Yeah, that’s the one.

Judgmental or shaming? Nah, that one’s auto-tuned to sound like your voice but it’s outside messaging. Keep sharp to this resident pretender and tell them to hush — they’re always going to be there, but they don’t get to control your stereo system.

You are in a support-network that flows from this core self.

Care for it.

Look for it.

Let yourself see it.

Let yourself say it:

I am supported.

Tomorrow morning, as your bed holds your body, the sun rises, and your alarm awakens you — it’s there. Glad you’re here.