#Goals

As you prepare for the upcoming week, here are a three questions to contemplate:

1.) What is a new pattern I can work on that I would be proud to have made progress toward come next week?

2.) What is something I can do this week for pure enjoyment, without concern or need for progress?

3.) If this were my last week on earth, how would I relate to myself, my family, my community, and the earth?

The questions above were just texted to me from Cory Muscara, spiritual motivational guide on social media. I love how certain teachers and healers on the gram have a daily text community. I always find these prompts and affirmations helpful and grounding. These questions came at the perfect time, since I’m making today’s post about the television show Ted Lasso. My boys and I are currently obsessed with this series. Friends of mine had been telling me for awhile to watch it, and I knew that it was hugely popular and critically acclaimed. My impression was that it was a feel good show that would be nice and light, not my usual thing to watch. I took a crack at it a few weeks ago and am completely in love, not to mention the joy of watching it with my sons. It’s such a quality show that moves me for so many reasons, none of which are unexpected. Therein lies the magic of Ted Lasso; this formula is as old as time. It’s not a revolutionary feat of originality, yet it’s so deeply impactful. The positive, encouraging, genuine coach who turns a disjointed team into a family. The scheming boss who is won over and reformed by unfamiliar kindness. The various characters who have never known such care and respect, who can now feel valued so as to bring forth their best selves. None of this is unique and maybe that’s why Ted Lasso has become such a smashing success. Ted Lasso is that rare gem of a person who is so full of love that he pours it onto all on his midst. He improves each situation and relationship he enters with his presence, belief, and faith. He is a real deal light-worker. There’s an innocent purity to this character that is so uplifting. Every single one of us, whether we know it or not, needs to be loved, encouraged, and believed in. It’s remarkable and heartbreaking as to how much. We are designed for deep connection, to ourselves and others. We really matter to one another. Without such connections we become calcified with the pain of disconnect. Ted Lasso is a virtuoso in true connection, and so his presence becomes medicinal for everyone he comes into contact with. His unshakable belief in his colleagues, bosses, and players starts to peel off layers of hardened disappointment and emotional isolation. He helps the other characters do exactly as the above questions prompt; create new habits and patterns, find joy in their daily lives, and build and repair close and meaningful connections. These actions, like the questions, never get old. They are always so important in reminding us about how precious our lives are. Just as important are the people in our lives who remind us that we matter. That we are loved, held, supported, and believed in. These are the presences in our lives who are medicinal for us. No one can go through life alone. We need our guides, our teammates, and our cheerleaders. We need people to forgive us, lovingly correct us, and allow us to work out our shit on them (obviously not in an abusive or mean way). We need people who love us enough to truly be there in an unconditionally loving and supportive way. “Unconditional love” is a term that gets thrown around and misused. Easy to say, hard to do. Sadly, so many people give love highly conditionally but they themselves don’t even know the difference. When you find your person or people who are indeed there for you unconditionally, hold onto them as you would a precious gem. Hokey? Sure. Unoriginal? Of course. Because good ol’ fashioned qualities like love, trust, belief, kindness, goodness, unity, and connectivity will never be outdated or unneeded. It’s these offerings that people are starving for, and so it’s these offerings that have the power to change lives. The actual hunger to be seen, valued, loved, and supported is all too real. Ted Lasso serves this all up from the deepest place within his own heart. He gives with no attachment, the purest form of giving. It’s people like this, both real and fictional, who help us heal and hopefully pay it forward.
What are your goals this week to better care for both yourself and others? What other questions can you add to Cory’s list, in the service of personal and interpersonal expansion and connection?