Find a comfortable position to sit.
Let your hands rest in your lap and feel the support beneath you.
Now take a slow,
Deep breath in.
And let it leave gently.
Now invite your face to soften.
And allow the corners of your mouth to lift just a little.
Feel the smile as it forms.
Notice whether it reaches your cheeks or the space around your eyes.
Now imagine sitting in front of a mirror.
See yourself looking back.
You can see your face.
Your shoulders.
Your chest.
Meet your own eyes for a moment.
Notice what it feels like to offer yourself this small,
Kind expression of your smile.
Gently bring both hands to the centre of your chest.
Feel the warmth of your palms.
And the movement of your breath beneath them.
Perhaps you can sense your heartbeat.
If you can't,
There's nothing to search for.
You know it's there.
Your heart and your breath have been with you from the beginning.
Through mornings you welcomed and mornings you wish you'd stayed in bed.
Through changes you chose and changes you never saw coming.
Your heart has kept beating.
Your breath has kept returning.
Together they have made room for every person you've loved.
Every place you've been.
And every new beginning still ahead of you.
You do not have to feel grateful on command.
Simply take a moment to recognise these quiet gifts.
Feel the smile still resting on your face.
Let it soften as you bring your attention to your heart.
Imagine gathering the feeling of your heart between your hands.
Curve your fingers around it as gently as you would sheltering a butterfly.
Slowly lower your hands into your lap,
Turn your palms upwards and carefully open them.
Resting in your cupped hands is a sunflower.
Its petals are folded around the centre,
Sheltered and still.
Notice the yellow at the edges.
And the soft weight of the flower in your palms.
This is your heart.
Appearing in a form you can hold.
Smile towards it,
Just as you smiled at your reflection in the mirror.
Your smile casts a warm light across the flower.
Watch as the sunflower opens.
One battle left.
Than another.
Than another.
Until its wide,
Golden centre comes into view.
Look into the face of your sunflower heart.
Perhaps you imagine a smile appearing there.
Or maybe it's open face is enough.
Stay together for a few breaths.
Feel your own smile.
The flower resting in your hands.
And the warmth of this moment between you.
A golden glow begins deep within the sunflower.
As you breathe in,
The light gathers at its centre.
As you breathe out,
It pulses through the petals and warms your palms.
Take another easy breath.
Feel that warmth move into your fingers.
Up your arms.
And into your chest.
It spreads around your heart.
Rises through your throat.
And touches your face.
Across your cheeks.
Around your eyes.
Notice your smile.
If it wants to grow wider lettuce.
Smile openly at the sunflower in your hands and enjoy how it feels.
Rest here for a while.
The light grows brighter with each gentle breath,
Filling you with the warmth you have offered your heart.
Your heart has been with you through every moment of your life.
Your breath is with you now.
One beating.
One flowing.
Loyal companions both.
Take a moment to appreciate life from the inside.
Quiet wonder of being able to feel.
To love.
To start again.
Look down at the sunflower you hold so carefully.
Perhaps you feel love for your heart.
Perhaps gratitude for all that it has carried and made possible.
Perhaps something softer,
With no name yet.
Just let yourself feel whatever is present within you now.
Carrying the sunflower home,
Slowly bring your hands back to your chest.
Resting your palms over your heart.
Feel your breath moving beneath them.
And the smile still on your face.
The golden light remains warm and steady,
As though a diddle of the morning sun has found a place within you.
In a moment,
You can return to your day and you can take this smile with you.
Offer it to the gift of a new morning.
To someone you've never met.
To a familiar face.
And just notice how it feels to give it freely.
You may even find a smile comes back to you.
Now take one last gentle breath.
Feel your lungs fill.
And the warmth of your heart beneath your hands.
The gift of a new day is waiting for you.
So when you're ready,
Open your eyes and let your smile lead the way.
Namaste.
