Well, hello there. My name is Morgan Harper Nichols. I'm an artist and a writer, and this is a space where I share poetry and prose that I hope can make a little room for you to slow down just for a moment and take a few deep breaths as you prepare for whatever lies ahead.

Today's piece is called How to Find Clarity Right Here Where You Are.

Thanks for listening.

Trust, the clarity you seek is out here on the journey as you learn to pay attention, pace yourself, and take slow and

mindful steps. The gift of a slower pace is that you start to see your surroundings more clearly.

You start to notice that the patch of trees lining the field are actually a unique, diverse community of species.

You start to recognize that the birds are not just singing, but they are participating in a

larger song taking place throughout the forest.

You start to notice that the sound of the rushing river in the distance

is actually closer than you realized, and you're almost there. And if you keep traveling

at a mindful pace, you'll be there soon. If you are seeking clarity, may you learn to embrace slowness.

May you learn to see the objects in front of you in a new way.

Just because you haven't been able to sprint toward a wide, cleared-out path, that doesn't mean there's no way through.

Maybe there's another way around the rock boulders that obstruct

your view. Maybe there's another clearing up ahead that will help you find your bearings. And maybe

the best way there is by traveling slowly, by paying attention to the narrow paths carved throughout

the woods. Maybe this is how you are meant to learn. Maybe this is how you were meant to grow.

Slowly but surely traveling one step at a time, learning the way as you go. This is the way

to clarity. And when you reach a fork in the path and you don't know which way to take,

remember that no matter what you choose, if you've never been down this path before, there's no

way to know exactly what lies ahead. Every step will be a step of faith. Clarity will come in the

shape of accepting the whole landscape as a place to learn how to trust.

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