The Message and the Messenger

I believe in the message and the messenger. Which is why I start hard days with mushroom coffee in my Mama Bear mug. The message is “stay grounded.” The messenger is “don’t test me before halftime.”

Same ritual, same cup, same reminder of who I am before the belly-scratching grunts and extended family commentary begin.

Regulation first. Chaos later.

What rituals remind you who you are?