Good morning.
I'm Andrea Ashley and I am so grateful to be sharing this time with you.
Today is the start of a new week and there can be mixed emotions.
Some of you may feel the joy,
Excitement,
And positivity of another fresh start,
While others may already be missing the downtime and dreading their work or responsibilities.
Wherever you are this morning,
It is okay.
Absolutely no judgment.
Let's remove the pressures to feel,
Act,
Or be a certain way and simply take a few moments right now to be with ourselves before the to-do lists and schedules are required of you.
Take this moment to settle into your space,
To settle into your body,
To settle into your breath.
Simply watching your natural breathing rhythm,
Not making any changes as of yet.
Noticing how and where your breath is flowing.
Chest,
Belly,
Both.
Slow or quick breaths,
Shallow or deep.
Noticing any areas of constriction,
Or alternatively any areas of ease and flow.
If there are any areas of constriction,
Take a moment to see how you can bring in more ease and flow to that area.
And if you are already feeling ease and flow,
Take a moment to see how you can bring in five to ten percent more softness,
More ease.
Maybe softening the shoulders away from the ears,
Gently rolling the head from left to right.
Releasing the tongue from the roof of the mouth.
Softening any muscles that you feel are clenched.
Inviting your breath to become longer and deeper.
Even if it's just for a millisecond,
Just that millisecond more matters.
It counts.
It contributes.
Remember,
There's no right or wrong way to be doing this.
Continue to invite softness,
Ease and flow into the breath and body in whatever way comes up for you or resonates in this moment.
Check in with yourself now.
How are you feeling in this moment?
Has there been any changes?
Are there any areas in the mind,
Body,
Or even the soul,
The spirit,
That may need a little more gentleness,
A little more love?
If so,
See if you can invite five to ten percent more ease into the space.
You can do this by sending your breath to that area,
By placing your palm on that area,
By sending loving thoughts or energy to this area.
Again,
There is no right or wrong.
This is just a space for you to invite more ease,
More gentleness,
And love into that space.
Continue to breathe slowly and deeply.
Now try to bring in five to ten percent more ease,
More flow into your entire being.
Remember,
This number is only a suggestion.
Maybe it's only one percent today.
Maybe it's half or quarter,
And that is okay.
Just being with yourself,
Continuing to breathe slowly and deeply with the intention to bring in the softness will give you great benefit.
If you would like,
I invite you to use this time now as the last few moments of your practice to set an intention for your week,
A word,
Phrase,
Or message that defines how you want to feel,
What your heart of hearts want out of this week ahead,
Something that is outside of meeting goals or deadlines,
Outside of the label of mom or dad,
Sister or brother,
Employee,
Boss,
A word,
Phrase,
Or message that defines how you,
Outside of all these things you do,
Want to feel internally,
What you want to exude,
How you want to show up.
Once you have found that intention,
That word,
Phrase,
Or message,
Take a moment to repeat it to yourself three times now.
If it feels comfortable with you,
Placing your hands on your heart and sending yourself ultimate love and gratitude for taking this time for yourself,
For your mind,
Your body,
Your soul,
And overall well-being.
Continuing to breathe slowly and deeply,
Palms on the heart,
And expanding this love and gratitude now for taking the time to tend to your day ahead.
Yes,
You can thank yourself for what you're going to be doing,
Knowing the effort and time you're going to be putting in.
Continuing to breathe slowly and deeply,
Palms on the heart,
And now sending this love and gratitude even further for not only all you do today,
But all you do every day.
Whether it is a productive day or a total day of procrastination,
It matters.
It contributes and it counts.
Take a deep cleansing breath in now,
Your deepest breath yet,
In through the nose,
And big sigh,
Exhale through the mouth.
Knowing that at any time during your week,
You can take a moment to invite five to ten percent more ease,
Softness,
And flow back into your life.
You know how to do this,
And always remember to be gentle,
And that even half a percent matters,
Contributes,
And counts.
Sending you so much love and gratitude to each and every one of you.
Have a beautiful day.
