For the next few minutes,
Nobody needs anything from you.
There might still be things waiting.
Someone might call your name again soon.
There may be dinner to make.
Messages to answer,
Work to finish,
Someone to pick up,
Something you've forgotten.
We'll let all of that be true.
But for these few minutes.
You don't need to respond.
Find somewhere to sit.
You don't need silence.
You don't need the perfect meditation space.
You don't even need to close your eyes if you don't want to.
Just stop.
Notice the feeling of your feet against the floor.
The weight of your body where you are sitting.
And let yourself exhale.
Not a big,
Deliberate breath.
Just out.
Again,
Let the breath leave your body.
You've probably spent a lot of today moving towards things.
Towards a voice.
A question,
A job.
A notification.
Something that needs finding,
Something that needs fixing,
Someone who needs you.
For these few minutes,
Don't move towards anything.
Let everything remain where it is.
And stay here.
Notice your hands.
They do so much.
Carrying,
Making,
Cleaning,
Typing,
Driving,
Holding.
Helping Let them be empty for a moment.
Rest them somewhere comfortable.
Nothing to hold.
Nothing to do.
Notice your face.
You don't need to look interested or patient or cheerful.
Nobody is looking at you here.
Let your face simply be your face.
And notice the space immediately around your body.
This little pocket of space is yours.
You don't need to use these minutes wisely.
You don't need to work something out.
You don't need to turn this into another thing you are doing well.
You get to simply be a person sitting here for a moment.
And quietly ask yourself.
How am I?
Not what needs doing.
Not how is everyone else.
Just how am I.
Notice whatever answer comes.
Tired.
Fine.
Frustrated.
Bracelets.
Happy.
Over it.
Tender.
Nothing in particular.
You don't have to change the answer.
Just let yourself be someone you notice too.
And then ask.
What would feel good for me next.
Now,
What should I do?
What would feel good.
Maybe net water,
Food.
Fresh air.
Movement.
Music.
A shower.
Five more minutes alone.
Maybe you simply need to go back into your day.
That's okay too.
This isn't about escaping your life.
It's remembering that you are in it too.
You are not the only person who responds.
Organizes,
Remembers,
Helps,
Carries.
You are not only the person who responds,
Organizes,
Remembers,
Helps,
Carries.
You are someone within this day whose needs thoughts.
And feelings belong here too.
Take one comfortable breath.
And let it go.
Soon you'll return to whatever is waiting,
But you don't have to rush there yet.
Stay for one more moment.
Nothing needed from me.
Nothing to solve.
Nothing to give.
Just you.
And when you are ready,
Open your eyes if they've been closed.
Notice the room around you.
Take this little bit of yourself back into the rest of your day.
And remember.
.
.
You don't always need an hour to return to yourself.
Sometimes a few minutes is enough.
