Take a moment to make sure the baby is settled in your arms or in a cozy safe place.
And now take a moment for yourself.
Move around in your seat allowing yourself to make any adjustments needed for your comfort.
Notice how you feel connected to your chair or seat,
Grounded and safe.
Notice any noises that may be present or not,
Remembering that it's okay and that we can work with our environment.
Notice too if any thoughts arise,
Reminding yourself that it's perfectly normal and you don't have to dive into those stories.
If there is noise or thoughts do arise,
Maybe see if you can let them fade into the background a bit,
While you bring your attention to your heart.
Notice how fast or how slow your heart is beating,
Not needing to change it,
Not judging it,
Just being aware.
Now shift your attention to your breath,
Where you can sense your breath in your body.
Do you notice it around your nostrils or lips as it enters your body?
Maybe you notice it in your chest as it rises and falls?
Wherever you notice your breath,
Invite it in for a deep belly breath,
Letting your belly relax and expand out with your in-breath and collapse with your out-breath.
Take another big deep breath and let it go,
Nice and easy,
And still one more deep restorative breath in,
Filling your whole belly and chest and releasing it.
Now return your breath to a natural rhythm and begin to imagine you're walking on a path in a field.
The sun is shining warmly on you,
There's a gentle breeze,
And maybe the field is filled with tall grass and wildflowers of all different colors.
It's pleasant and the path is one that has been walked by many before you.
It's smooth and free from rocks or roots.
It's safe and stable and you walk with comfort.
Maybe you're holding your baby and maybe not,
Either way is okay.
There is a sense of knowing,
A sense that many women have walked this path before you.
And as you walk,
You notice how beautifully blue the sky is.
You hear some birds chirping in the distance and you breathe in the life all around you.
Continue walking on the path as it leads you to a clearing.
In the clearing you see a bench with a wise woman sitting on it.
She motions for you to sit with her,
And you do.
You feel relaxed and safe next to her,
And you can sense her years of wisdom.
She hands you an envelope with a letter in it,
A short loving message to you,
With the wisdom of many women about the journey of motherhood that you walked together.
You open it and read it to yourself quietly.
What does it say?
What message do you need to hear in this moment?
You sit with this wisdom feeling encouraged and energized.
Now you fold the paper back up and put it in your pocket,
Filled with energy and a sense of gratitude to the wise woman and all the women she represents who have walked this path before you.
You look at her again to say goodbye.
Maybe you hug her or squeeze her hand.
You get up and begin to walk,
Continuing on the path,
Taking with you this new energy and knowing,
This wisdom.
As you walk,
Begin to shift your attention back to your heart,
Once again noticing how fast or how slow it's beating,
Still not needing to change it,
Just noticing and remembering that you can return to your heart or to your breath at any time to read that loving message again.
Taking another big,
Deep belly breath in and releasing it.
When you are ready,
You can begin to wiggle your toes and fingers,
Move your body around a little.
And if you've happened to close your eyes,
Maybe you flutter them open,
Coming back into your day.
