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“Emotion Mind.”

That part comes easily.

I grab a notebook and draw two large circles. One on the left. One on the right. Just enough overlap in the middle that they touch.

Inside the first, I write:

Emotions.

Inside the second:

Reason.

My pen hovers over the overlap.

Then I write two words.

Wise Mind.

The goal has never been to ignore my emotions.

And it isn’t to pretend logic makes fear disappear.

It’s learning to let them sit at the same table.

Inside the emotions circle I write:

I’m nervous.

I’m afraid I’ll walk in and immediately wish I’d stayed home.

I’m afraid everyone else will have someone to sit with.

I’m afraid I’ll spend the entire service feeling like I don’t belong.

None of those feelings are wrong.

They’re real.

I let myself acknowledge every one of them before opening my eyes again.

Inside the reason circle I write:

The people I met last Sunday were kind.

No one expects me to know anyone.

Pastor Jack didn’t ask for forever. He asked for six months.

I stare at the list.

Then I write my wise mind in the overlap:

If I stay home because I’m uncomfortable, nothing changes.

I fold the paper in half and slip it into my Bible.

Just in case.