Welcome to this Thanksgiving guided meditation where we'll take a pause to think about all the things that we are grateful for and just enjoy this moment of peace.
Take a moment to settle in,
Allow your body to find a position that feels supported,
Let your shoulders drop,
Your jaw soften and invite a slow,
Easy breath in and a nice,
Long,
Gentle breath out.
As you breathe,
Imagine you're arriving fully into this moment,
Leaving behind the to-do list,
The plans,
The expectations,
Just for now.
Right now,
Your presence is enough.
On your next breath,
Imagine a warm,
Golden light,
The color of late afternoon sunshine on a crisp fall day.
Let it flow in through the breath and soften through the body as you exhale.
Feel this light warm your chest,
Your belly,
Your back,
Your arms and hands,
Down through your legs and into your toes.
This is a soft,
Seasonal glow reminding you that this is a time for slowing down,
Reconnecting and nourishing yourself.
As we enter the holiday season,
We sometimes carry the weight of expectations.
Maybe it's to host perfectly,
To show up perfectly,
Buy the perfect gift and make everybody happy.
So imagine for a moment that you're placing all of that pressure into a backpack that you've been carrying around.
Notice its weight.
Notice how your body feels when it's on your shoulders.
Now very gently,
Visualize yourself slipping the straps off and letting that backpack fall to the ground beside you.
Feel the relief,
Feel the space and feel your breath deepen.
You are allowed to lay it down,
Even if only for a few minutes.
Now bring your attention to your heart and maybe place a hand or both hands if you feel inclined and imagine a soft light glowing beneath your palm.
And with each breath,
That light gets brighter and brighter.
Now let one simple thing that you're grateful for come to mind.
It doesn't have to be big or profound,
Just something real.
Maybe it's a warm cup of coffee,
A friend,
Your home,
Your health,
Or even just this breath.
Hold that gratitude gently as if you're holding it in the palms of your hands.
And let another moment of gratitude join it,
And maybe even one more.
And feel how each small gratitude adds softness to the nervous system,
Like warm blankets being layered over your heart.
Notice how that feels in your body,
Maybe you're even smiling slightly.
And now imagine that warm golden glow expanding outward,
Filling the space around you.
Send a silent blessing to the people you'll be with this week.
Maybe family,
Friends,
Co-workers,
Or even strangers.
Not an expectation,
Just a wish.
May they be healthy,
May they feel loved,
May they feel peace.
And then extend that same blessing to yourself.
May I be healthy,
May I feel loved,
May I feel peace.
And repeat again,
May I be healthy,
May I feel loved,
May I feel peace.
Really feel those words,
Notice how they resonate in your body.
Take a nice,
Slow,
Deep breath in,
And imagine drawing warmth and gratitude into your entire body,
From head to toe.
And as you exhale,
Imagine releasing any leftover heaviness,
Or anything that seems unnecessary.
And do two more just like that,
Deepening,
Softening,
And arriving fully back into your body.
Take a moment to notice how you feel,
A little more grounded,
Maybe a little more open,
A little more grateful.
Carry this feeling with you into the rest of your day,
And into the holiday season ahead.
And when you're ready,
Gently wiggle your fingers and your toes,
Maybe stretch your neck,
Roll your shoulders,
And simply allow your eyes to slowly come open.
Thank you for taking this time with me today.
I'm beyond grateful,
And I'm wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving.
May it be filled with moments of peace,
Connection,
And gratitude,
No matter what it looks like.
