Welcome to this guided meditation.
I'm your guide,
Dr.
Andrew Goff of Love is a Classroom.
This meditation will help you release the grip of expectations you have for yourself on your mental health and well-being inside and outside the classroom.
Let's begin by finding a comfortable position,
Either sitting or lying down.
Gently close your eyes,
Relax your shoulders,
And take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Let the weight of the day melt away and feel your body soften as you settle into the present moment.
Deep breath in.
Allow your breathing to flow in and out at a steady pace.
Feel your chest and your belly rise.
As early childhood professionals,
We're often told that we need to do and be everything for everyone.
We're told we need to have all the answers to support each child,
Every family,
And create the perfect learning environment.
And while we do all of that with love and care,
Sometimes that voice inside whispers to us,
You're not enough,
You should be doing more.
That voice,
The one pushing and pulling at you,
Making you feel inadequate or anxious,
Isn't who you really are.
It's the psyche,
The part of you that's always striving,
Always worrying,
Always clinging to an idea of who you think you need to be.
Imagine for a moment that the voice is like a thorn caught on your side.
You feel it poke you when things don't go as planned,
When a child has a tough day,
A parent seems unhappy,
Or you're not getting along with a co-worker.
It feels sharp and uncomfortable,
Making you question yourself,
Making you question your abilities,
Your choices.
But remember,
The thorn isn't you,
It's just stuck there,
Making you react out of fear and discomfort.
Take a deep breath in,
And slowly release it.
Deep breath in,
And release it.
Feel your chest and belly rise,
And allow yourself to recognize that you are not the thorn,
Nor are you the discomfort it causes,
You are the one who notices it.
The next time you hear that voice,
Saying I'm not doing enough,
Or I'm not good enough,
No,
It's just the thorn,
Watch that thought as an observer,
Recognize it,
And let it move on.
Like clouds floating in the sky,
You are not your thoughts,
You are not your fears,
You are love,
And you are perfect as you are.
Breathe in deeply,
And out.
Let each breath remind you of your true self,
The part of you that is calm,
Unshaken,
And deeply connected to the work and people you love.
As an educator,
You are already creating spaces where children feel safe,
Loved,
And accepted.
In this moment,
Give yourself the same love and acceptance,
Know that no matter what the psyche says,
Your worth is not tied to your achievements or perfection,
You are enough just as you are.
Now imagine yourself pulling the thorn from your side,
It no longer feels like a source of discomfort,
No longer poking and prodding,
Without it,
You are free,
Free to be just you,
Liberated.
Take a deep breath in,
And thank yourself for this moment of release.
When you're ready,
Gently open your eyes,
Carry with you this sense of freedom and peace.
Thank you for listening to this guided meditation.
