An open letter to relatives

Annie Altman
2 min readSep 22, 2020

Dear relatives,

Thank you for strengthening my sense of self. I am where I am and doing what I’m doing in part because of each of you. My tenacity and gentleness to take care of myself has increased because of you. The lessons I’ve received from my relationships with you have shifted my perspectives beyond their limitations. Thank you for providing contrast.

Thank you for encouraging me to continue creating The HumAnnie!

Thank you for showing me how many different forms of encouragement can exist, when I’m conscious (hey, The HumAnnie “consciousnesses C” theme!) of the varieties and of my preferences.

Thank you for showing me that I get to choose (hey, The HumAnnie “choice C”!) which forms of encouragement to focus on and foster based on what feels most me, to me!

Thank you for reminding me that change (hey, The HumAnnie “change C” theme!) is possible, and that the conscious choices for change I prefer are those with compassion (hey, The HumAnnie “compassion C”!) because that feels most me, to me.

Thank you for reminding me again and again and again the empowerment of communication (hey, The HumAnnie “communication C”!), and the importance of both transparency and boundaries.

Thank you for demonstrating the first form of community (hey, The HumAnnie “community C”!) I experienced, and so giving a contrast with other forms of community.

Thank you for helping me let go of limiting beliefs around what I am allowed and capable to create (hey, The HumAnnie “creation C”!) and to share.

Thank you for teaching me to take charge (hey, The HumAnnie “charge C”!) of my life and my karma.

Thank you for the ways you’ve fostered my curiosity (hey, The HumAnnie “curiosity C”!) and openness to ask people their intentions and remember that everyone is doing their best.

Thank you for the courage (hey, The HumAnnie “courage C”!) to trust myself, to follow myself, and to be vulnerable with a grounded kindness that is only beginning to sprout in nutrient-dense soil.

Thank you thank you thank you for helping me feel more connected (OMG IT’S THE “C THEME” THAT CONNECTS THE HUMANNIE 10 C THEMES OF HUMANING!!!) to me.

All of this is shared with the intention to further my connection to myself, to help others feel more connected to themselves, and to remember the interconnectedness of all things, places, and beings.

Some empowering words-reminders for all the readers:

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” — Maya Angelou

“Do or do not, there is no try.” — Yoda

“The purpose of life is to be happy.” — Dad and the Dalai Lama

I am mine,

Annie

theanniealtmanshow.com

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Annie Altman

Showing and telling thoughts and feelings on humaning. All Humans Are Human Podcast, The HumAnnie, Funds Distribution Company