Deep breath in,
And out.
So as usual,
Finding a comfortable position for your body.
You can do this meditation while being still in a seated or laying down position,
Or you may even listen to this recording as you walk.
Perhaps you've taken some time to yourself to step out and have a nice stroll in nature or wherever it's accessible to you.
And bringing your mind and your heart to the practice of gratitude.
So what is gratitude?
For some of us,
Gratitude can be a bit tricky,
If perhaps you've never even heard of that or tuned into the feeling before.
The way I see it is very,
Very simple.
Gratitude can be the intentionality,
The action of noticing anything that literally makes your life even a teeny tiny bit better and going like,
Oh,
I could not have this.
And instead it's there.
So it's a lot more simple than some of us may think.
It can be a person in your life that really makes you smile when you think about them,
Or with whom you have some truly meaningful memories and you get to experience that person,
That presence in your life.
Maybe you've even seen them today,
Hanged out.
Or perhaps it's some comfort of your daily life that you have access to.
That could be your bed.
Sometimes we get so used to the things that we have that we don't take a moment to again appreciate that I could not have this.
And this is not meant to be a practice of toxic positivity or just thinking that your life is really perfect and you shouldn't suffer.
This is not what gratitude is about.
Gratitude is just a supportive practice for your brain,
Something that can help you to experience even just the tiniest amount of joy in every situation.
It's not about ignoring what's happening.
It's not about trying to make it look better,
But it's the intentional practice of noticing what is going well.
What is already there.
Gratitude is about noticing the progress in the process,
Even when we don't see the final result.
It's finding that small joy in your everyday endeavors,
Knowing that even if you don't have all of the answers,
Something is unfolding for you.
This feeling can be very well understood at a deep level when it's embodied.
So we're going to practice a bit of that now.
Inhale through your nose and exhaling through your nose or mouth.
Deep inhale.
Keep going at your own pace.
Keep that gratitude into your conscious mind,
Calling in the energy of gratitude.
Can you feel it in your chest?
Can you appreciate the air flowing into your lungs right now and having this opportunity to stop and do that?
Can you express gratitude towards your body for holding you up every day at the best of its ability?
Not perfect,
But it's there and it supports your life.
Can you remember something beautiful you've seen today,
Perhaps on your way to work or in some of the places you've been?
And maybe not yet,
Maybe that's yet to come in your day,
But will you be able to place your gaze onto these things?
Will you notice?
Will you stop and take your breath of gratitude?
Namaste.
