This is the 30th edition of The Opening! Thank you all for reading along. Many of you have been sending me your personal reflections after a piece, and it is always a joy to read.
Going forward, you’ll find a new addition here - a “soul song”, a curated piece of music to help us open & widen. Enjoy the first selection below 🎶
Sometimes along the way we find something that really helps. A practice or activity or person that - at least temporarily - “save us” or offer respite.
It can be anything from yoga or meditation or a new business venture, to becoming vegan to doing CrossFit. Last night I was watching a Netflix show about young French rappers competing; many of them kept repeating,“Rap saved my life.” It was clear they meant it.
It’s true, sometimes a practice can feel like a lifeline. A portal of hope, a structure for our minds or bodies, somewhere we deeply enjoy learning and growing. Sometimes it’s also where we can meet others and connect with community, somewhere to belong.
But what’s the real reason we are deeply drawn to a practice?
A good opening practice makes us feel more like “us.” It brings us closer to ourselves, it helps remind us who we really are and helps us access our core energy, who we are at the soul level.
When we enter the river of practice we often get glimmers of access to our primary self. We get to remember who we are, in this body, in this life. We feel our power. We know.
And, crucially- it’s something that can never really be taken from us. Sometimes in life we fall, but no one can take from us the things we love or how we love.1
Even if someone were to take away your instrument, no one could take away your love of music, your penchant for rhythm or melody. Your dedication and skill. The song of your soul. Your grace.
Think of your own list of things and activities that bring you some ease, that make you feel at home in the world, that help you come into your aliveness. Sometimes these are activities we’ve been doing since childhood, other times they are gifts we received in adulthood.
The beauty of each of these practices is that they open you.
They help expand us beyond the locked parts of our mental loops and our mind, our hurts and neuroses. Beyond our ‘pain body’ or our doubts, they connect us with the effervescent energy of life. For a moment or two we transcend. A balm for the soul.
Unfortunately, when we are hurt or disappointed or depressed these are often the first things that go out the window. But the beautiful part is these practices never really go away. They are like patient friends, waiting for us to come back and resume.
To practice, again and again, until something opens.
A weekly music pick from The Opening. I invite you to give yourself a few minutes to listen and enjoy. This month’s pick:
Rescue You by Sevyn Streeter & Cast, Hitmakers (2025).
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