Welcome to the closing practice of your shift.
This reminder highlights the need for presence and balance,
Setting the stage for a mindful transition into rest and renewal and family life.
Take a moment and ground yourself and prepare to set aside the events of today.
Let's begin by creating a mental container,
A safe,
Secure place in your mind,
Where you can gently place all of today's stress,
Tasks and challenges,
Leaving them behind as you move into your family life.
This is a safe,
Secure place in your mind,
Where you can gently place all of today's stresses,
Tasks and challenges.
This container will be here for you when you need it,
But for now,
You can set these things down,
Knowing that they are held safely,
Visualizing closing the lid,
Giving yourself permission to release this,
If only for a while,
Noticing how it feels to let it go,
Even for a few moments.
Now as you begin to settle,
Remind yourself of the importance of maintaining balance,
Not only in your work life,
But also in your home life.
You maintain the vehicles and the equipment here for such an emergency.
You are also one of the tools in the equipment.
How do you maintain you?
Just as you receive training and support to be effective on the job,
Your family,
Relationships and well-being require care,
Attention and presence.
Allow yourself to be fully here,
Knowing that as you step back into your life outside of work,
You're cultivating the strength and support to be the person you need to be for those who depend on you.
This balance between work and home life keeps you resilient and ready,
Both for your team and for the people that care about you most.
Close your eyes and let your breath naturally slow down.
Feel the air entering your body,
Filling you completely.
As you exhale,
Notice how your shoulders and jaw begin to release tension.
If you're having trouble releasing the shoulders,
Focus on the front of your neck first and notice the neutrality,
And then look to the side and notice how it shifts.
You can take your shoulders and squeeze them up to your ears and then drop them all the way down if you'd like.
And just notice what neutral feels like.
Imagine the weight of the day gently melting away and with each breath,
Allowing you to feel grounded and supported by the earth beneath you.
You've done your best today.
The other team is just as qualified and as strong.
And even if they are not,
Just appreciate that they're trying their best.
That you don't have to be everything.
Now imagine a steady,
Grounding warmth rising from the earth,
Starting at the soles of your feet.
Feel this warmth moving up through your legs like warm sand on the bottom of your feet,
Filling each muscle with the calm and strength.
As the light flows through your torso and into your chest,
Notice how this light lifts away any lingering stress,
Leaving you feeling safe and at ease.
This warmth symbolizes your connection to the world that you protect,
To the people who trust you,
And the team that stands beside you.
Allow you to move any energy into that ground you're stepping on.
It's best to do it without shoes,
Because the soles will stop us from connecting to the earth and our energy.
Bring to mind the faces of the people you've helped today,
Whether it be the next team by doing the maintenance,
That family.
Notice how even in today,
You have contributed to someone's safety.
Not everyone can be saved,
And there is a belief that when people's souls are here on earth,
That the soul dies for a moment to go into the human life form,
And that death is actually the soul's rebirth into being a spirit.
Know that that soul might have only been here for a short time to learn what it needed to learn.
We are still here to learn.
So what is it that you are here to learn?
Is it to take care of yourself?
Is it to feel love?
Is it to feel appreciated?
Is it to feel that you don't always have to be everything to everyone?
As you go back to bringing the mind to the people of today,
See their expressions of relief,
Knowing they're safe because of you and your team.
Let yourself feel their silent gratitude as a gentle glow reaching out to you.
Breathing in this glow,
Letting it fill your chest and heart,
Connecting you to the lives you've touched.
Feel appreciated,
Grounded,
And proud of the work that you've done.
It was a sacrifice.
You've made sacrifices.
But it's appreciated.
Now think of your teammates who share this purpose with you.
Bring your hand to your chest and feel the rhythm of your heartbeat.
If it feels natural,
Gently drum along with this rhythm,
Letting it connect you to each other in trust and in unity,
Mirroring each other's beats.
Now that you are each other's strength and support,
This rhythm reminds you that though your shift may end,
This bond remains.
You've kept each other safe today.
Now it's time to allow your bodies and minds the chance to recharge.
But don't forget about your souls and your spirit.
As you let go of the day,
Feel a lightness within,
Knowing that rest is essential for you and for the community that depends on you.
In your mind,
Affirm to yourself,
I release today with pride.
I am ready to rest.
To reconnect with what brings me joy.
To return to the next shift renewed.
Now picture yourself stepping away from this space,
Carrying with you the sense of calm and accomplishment.
Imagine the warmth from your chest radiating outwards,
Preparing you to reconnect with the people you love,
To laugh,
To unwind,
Release any burdens,
Leaving room for life,
Joy,
And everything that makes you whole.
Take a final deep breath in,
Acknowledging your strength and dedication.
Exhale fully,
Letting go of the day completely.
When you're ready,
Open your eyes.
You've done your part.
Now it's time to rest and renew,
And prepare for the return when you're called.
If you need any help at home,
Sleeping,
On shift sleeping,
Or preparing for any EMDR or resilience in understanding yourself,
Please feel free to check out my other meditations for first responders.
Thank you,
And my sincere gratitude for everything that you do.
Thank you.
